By: Creighton S.B. No. 1608
 
 
 
   
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the operation of vehicles transporting mobile cranes.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 621.102(d), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (d)  A vehicle operating under a permit issued under Section
  623.011, 623.071, 623.094, 623.121, 623.142, 623.181, 623.192,
  623.212, [or] 623.321, or 623.402 [as added by Chapter 1135 (H.B.
  2741), Acts of the 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, 2013,] may
  operate under the conditions authorized by the permit over a road
  for which the executive director of the Texas Department of
  Transportation has set a maximum weight under this section.
         SECTION 2.  Section 621.301(e), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (e)  A vehicle operating under a permit issued under Section
  623.011, 623.071, 623.094, 623.121, 623.142, 623.181, 623.192,
  623.212, [or] 623.321, or 623.402 [as added by Chapter 1135 (H.B.
  2741), Acts of the 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, 2013,] may
  operate under the conditions authorized by the permit over a road
  for which the commissioners court has set a maximum weight under
  this section.
         SECTION 3.  Chapter 623, Transportation Code, is amended by
  adding Subchapter U to read as follows:
  SUBCHAPTER U.  MOBILE CRANES
         Sec. 623.401. DEFINITION.  In this subchapter, "mobile
  crane" means a self-propelled vehicle that is:
               (1)  used solely to raise, shift, or lower heavy
  weights by means of a projecting, swinging mast with an engine for
  power on a chassis permanently constructed or assembled for that
  purpose; and
               (2)  designed to be moved between operating locations
  by transport over a roadway.
         Sec. 623.402.  PERMIT FOR VEHICLE TRANSPORTING MOBILE CRANE.  
  (a) The department shall issue a permit that authorizes the
  operation of a vehicle or combination of vehicles transporting
  mobile crane at a gross weight that is not heavier than 100,000
  pounds.
         (b)  A permit issued under this subchapter:
               (1) is valid for one year, except as provided by
  Subsection(d); and
               (2) must be carried in the vehicle for which it is
  issued.
         (c)  A vehicle issued a permit under this subchapter may
  operate on a state, county, or municipal road, including a
  load-zoned county road or a frontage road adjacent to a federal
  interstate highway, if the vehicle displays a sticker required by
  Section 623.403 and does not exceed the maximum gross weight
  authorized under Subsection(a).
         (d)  The department may issue a permit under this subchapter
  that is valid for a period of less than one year.  The department
  shall prorate any applicable fee required for a permit issued under
  this subsection as necessary to reflect the term of the permit.
         Sec. 623.403.  PERMIT STICKER.  (a)  When the department
  issues a permit under this subchapter, the department shall issue a
  sticker to be placed on the front windshield of the vehicle. The
  department shall design the form of the sticker to aid in the
  enforcement of weight limits for vehicles.
         (b)  The sticker must:
               (1)  indicate the expiration date of the permit; and
               (2)  be removed from the vehicle when:
                     (A)  the permit for operation of the vehicle
  expires;
                     (B)  a lease of the vehicle expires; or
                     (C)  the vehicle is sold.
         Sec. 623.404.  COUNTY DESIGNATION.  The department by rule
  shall require an applicant under this subchapter to designate in
  the permit application the counties in which the applicant intends
  to operate.
         Sec. 623.405.  CERTAIN COUNTY OR MUNICIPAL ACTIONS
  PROHIBITED.  Unless otherwise provided by state or federal law, a
  county or municipality may not require a permit, fee, or license for
  the operation of a vehicle described by Section 623.402(a) in
  addition to a permit, fee, or license required by state law.
         Sec. 623.406.  TIMES AND DAYS OF MOVEMENT.  (a)  Movement
  authorized by a permit issued under this subchapter may be made on
  any day, provided that in a county with a population of more than
  300,000, movement may not be made between:
               (1)  7 a.m. and 9 a.m.; and
               (2)  4 p.m. and 6 p.m.
         (b)  For counties with a population less than 300,000, the
  Texas Department of Transportation, in coordination with local
  units of government, may limit the hours for travel on certain
  routes because of heavy or dangerous traffic conditions.
         (c)  The Texas Department of Transportation shall publish
  the limitation on movements prescribed by this section and the
  limitations adopted under Subsection (b) and shall make the
  publications available to the public. Each limitation adopted by
  the Texas Department of Transportation must be made available to
  the public before it takes effect.
         Sec. 623.407.  INTERSTATE AND DEFENSE HIGHWAYS.  (a)  This
  subchapter does not authorize the operation on the national system
  of interstate and defense highways in this state of a vehicle of a
  size or weight greater than those permitted under 23 U.S.C. Section
  127.
         (b)  If the United States authorizes the operation on the
  national system of interstate and defense highways of a vehicle of a
  size or weight greater than those permitted under 23 U.S.C. Section
  127 on September 1, 2017, the new limit automatically takes effect
  on the national system of interstate and defense highways in this
  state.
         SECTION 4.  STUDY OF ISSUES RELATING TO TRUCK TRAFFIC ON
  TOLLROADS OF THIS STATE.  The 85th Legislature of the State of Texas
  hereby requests that the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the
  house of representatives to create a joint interim committee to
  study the issue of overweight truck access to toll roads and the
  cost and benefits thereof, and that the committee's proceedings and
  operations be governed by such general rules and policies for joint
  interim committees as the 85th Legislature may adopt.
         SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.