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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the operation of vehicles transporting agricultural |
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products; authorizing a fee. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 623, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 623.0172 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 623.0172. PERMIT FOR VEHICLES TRANSPORTING |
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AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS. (a) The department shall issue a permit |
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that authorizes the operation of a vehicle or combination of |
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vehicles at a gross weight that is not heavier than 90,000 pounds |
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if: |
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(1) the vehicle or combination of vehicles is being |
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used to transport agricultural products that are in their natural |
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state; and |
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(2) the agricultural products are being transported |
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from the place of production to the place of first marketing or |
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first processing. |
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(b) To qualify for a permit under this section, a permit fee |
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of $25 must be paid. |
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(c) A permit issued under this section: |
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(1) is valid only for the specific agricultural |
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products authorized to be transported under the permit and only |
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during the harvest season of those products, as determined by the |
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department by rule; and |
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(2) must be carried in the vehicle for which it is |
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issued. |
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(d) The department by rule shall determine the harvest |
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season of each agricultural product authorized to be transported |
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under permits issued under this section. |
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(e) A vehicle issued a permit under this section may operate |
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on a state or county road if the vehicle does not exceed the maximum |
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gross weight authorized under Subsection (a). |
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(f) This section does not authorize the operation on the |
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national system of interstate and defense highways in this state of |
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a vehicle of a size or weight greater than those permitted under 23 |
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U.S.C. Section 127. |
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(g) If the United States authorizes the operation on the |
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national system of interstate and defense highways of a vehicle of a |
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size or weight greater than those permitted under 23 U.S.C. Section |
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127 on September 1, 2017, the new limit automatically takes effect |
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on the national system of interstate and defense highways in this |
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state. |
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(h) The department may adopt rules necessary to implement |
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this section, including rules governing the application for a |
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permit under this section. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |