LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas
 
FISCAL NOTE, 85TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION
 
May 1, 2017

TO:
Honorable Geanie W. Morrison, Chair, House Committee on Transportation
 
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
 
IN RE:
HB3194 by Guillen (Relating to weight limitations for certain vehicles carrying livestock.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

The bill would amend the Transportation Code to create an affirmative defense to prosecution for the offense of operating a vehicle with a single axle weight or tandem axle weight heavier than the axle weight authorized by law if at the time of the offense the vehicle was being used to transport livestock products in their natural state from the place of production to the place of first marketing or first processing, and provided the vehicle was not being operated on a portion of the national system of interstate and defense highways.

Based on LBB's analysis of information provided by the Texas Department of Public Safety, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, and the Texas Department of Transportation, it is assumed any costs or duties associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be absorbed within the agencies' existing resources.

The Texas Department of Transportation noted the bill may increase the number of heavier vehicles using state public roads, which may in turn increase road consumption rates and associated road and bridge maintenance costs. This could result in an undetermined negative fiscal impact to the state.

The bill would take effect September 1, 2017.

Local Government Impact

The Texas Department of Transportation noted the bill may increase the number of heavier vehicles using local public roads, which may in turn increase road consumption rates and associated road and bridge maintenance costs. This could result in an undetermined negative fiscal impact to local governments.


Source Agencies:
405 Department of Public Safety, 601 Department of Transportation, 608 Department of Motor Vehicles
LBB Staff:
UP, AG, AI, JAW, TG