BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 1998
87R6494 DRS-D	By: Lucio III; Martinez (Lucio)
	Transportation
	5/10/2021
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

State law allows vehicles powered primarily by natural gas to exceed the prescribed vehicle weight limitations. This exemption subtracts the weight of the natural gas fuel and treats the vehicle as a standard diesel to determine the maximum weight. However, this exemption only applies to vehicles using natural gas and not those that use liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

LPG systems allow trucking companies to travel greater distances and save a considerable amount of money in comparison to regular diesel-fueled vehicles. However, LPG systems can be quite heavy and companies prefer to transport more cargo instead of incorporating LPG systems that must adhere to the weight limitations.

H.B. 1998 seeks to give trucking companies an incentive to incorporate LPG systems in their vehicles without sacrificing cargo space by making the exemption from the weight limitations applicable also to vehicles powered by LPG.

H.B. 1998 amends current law relating to weight limitations for liquefied petroleum gas motor vehicles.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 621.101(b-1), Transportation Code, as follows:

(b-1) Authorizes a vehicle or combination of vehicles that is powered by an engine fueled primarily by liquefied petroleum gas, notwithstanding any other provision of Section 621.101 (Maximum Weight of Vehicle or Combination), to exceed any weight limitation under Section 621.101 by an amount that is equal to the difference between the weight of the vehicle attributable to the liquefied petroleum gas tank and fueling system carried by that vehicle and the weight of a comparable diesel tank and fueling system, provided that the maximum gross weight of the vehicle or combination of vehicles is prohibited from exceeding 82,000 pounds.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2021. �