H.B. No. 4156

AN ACT

relating to the issuance of permits for the movement of oversize and overweight vehicles in certain counties; authorizing an increase in the amount of a fee.

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

SECTION 1. Section 623.210, Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 623.210. OPTIONAL PROCEDURE. This subchapter provides an optional procedure for the issuance of a permit for the movement of oversize or overweight vehicles carrying cargo on state highways located in counties:

(1) contiguous to the Gulf of Mexico or a bay or inlet opening into the gulf and:

(A) [(1)] adjacent to at least two counties with a population of 550,000 or more; or

(B) [(2)] bordering the United Mexican States; or

(2) contiguous to the Gulf of Mexico or a bay or inlet opening into the gulf with a population of not more than 200,000 and adjacent to a county described by Subdivision (1)(A).

SECTION 2. Section 623.212, Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 623.212. PERMITS BY PORT AUTHORITY. The commission may authorize a port authority to issue permits for the movement of oversize or overweight vehicles carrying cargo on state highways located in counties:

(1) contiguous to the Gulf of Mexico or a bay or inlet opening into the gulf and:

(A) [(1)] adjacent to at least two counties with a population of 550,000 or more; or

(B) [(2)] bordering the United Mexican States; or

(2) contiguous to the Gulf of Mexico or a bay or inlet opening into the gulf with a population of not more than 200,000 and adjacent to a county described by Subdivision (1)(A).

SECTION 3. Section 623.214(a), Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) A port authority may collect a fee for permits issued under this subchapter. Such fees shall not exceed $120 [$80] per trip.

SECTION 4. Section 623.219(b), Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b) For a permit issued by a port authority located in a county that is adjacent to at least two counties with a population of 550,000 or more, the commission shall, with the consent of the port authority, designate the most direct route from:

(1) the intersection of Farm-to-Market Road 523 and Moller Road to the entrance of Port Freeport using Farm-to-Market Roads 523 and 1495;

(2) the intersection of State Highway 288 and Chlorine Road to the entrance of Port Freeport using State Highway 288;

(3) the intersection of State Highway 288 and Chlorine Road to the entrance of Port Freeport using State Highways 288 and 332 and Farm-to-Market Roads 523 and 1495;

(4) the intersection of North Velasco Boulevard and South Avenue J in the city of Freeport to the entrance of Port Freeport using North Velasco Boulevard and Farm-to-Market Road 1495; [and]

(5) 21441 Loop 419 in the city of Sweeny to the entrance of Port Freeport using Loop 419, State Highways 35 and 36, and Farm-to-Market Road 1495; and

(6) 5261 Seventh Street in Bay City to the entrance of Port Freeport using State Highway 35, Loop 419, State Highway 36, and Farm-to-Market Road 1495.

SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.

______________________________ ______________________________

President of the Senate Speaker of the House

I certify that H.B. No. 4156 was passed by the House on May 4, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 143, Nays 0, 2 present, not voting.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House

I certify that H.B. No. 4156 was passed by the Senate on May 12, 2017, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1.

______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________

Date

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Governor