By: Guillen H.B. No. 3194

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to weight limitations for certain vehicles carrying livestock.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 621.508, Transportation Code, is amended by amending subsection (a) and adding subsection (c) to read as follows:

(a) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution of, or an action under Subchapter F for, the offense of operating a vehicle with a single axle weight or tandem axle weight heavier than the axle weight authorized by law that at the time of the offense the vehicle:

(1) had a single axle weight or tandem axle weight that was not heavier than the axle weight authorized by law plus 12 percent;

(2) was loaded with timber, pulp wood, wood chips, or cotton, [livestock, ] or other agricultural products that are:

(A) in their natural state; and

(B) being transported from the place of production to the place of first marketing or first processing; and

(3) was not being operated on a portion of the national system of interstate and defense highways.

(c) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution of, or an action under Subchapter F for, the offense of operating a vehicle with a single axle weight or tandem axle weight heavier than the axle weight authorized by law that at the time of the offense the vehicle:

(1) was loaded with livestock products that are:

(A) in their natural state; and

(B) being transported from the place of production to the place of first marketing or first processing; and

(2) was not being operated on a portion of the national system of interstate and defense highways.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.