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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to weight exemptions for alternative fueled heavy weight |
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vehicles on state highways. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 621.101(b), Transportation Code, is |
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amended as follows: |
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(b) Notwithstanding Subsection (a)(3), two consecutive sets |
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of tandem axles may carry a gross load of not more than 34,000 |
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pounds each if the overall distance between the first and last axles |
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of the consecutive sets is 36 feet or more. The overall gross |
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weight on a group of two or more consecutive axles may not be |
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heavier than 80,000 pounds, including all enforcement tolerances, |
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regardless of tire ratings, axle spacing (bridge), and number of |
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axles. |
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(b-1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, |
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a vehicle or combination of vehicles that is powered by an engine |
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fueled primarily by natural gas and hydrogen may exceed any weight |
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limitation under this section by an amount that is equal to the |
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difference between the weight of the vehicle attributable to the |
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natural gas and hydrogen tank and fueling system carried by that |
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vehicle and the weight of a comparable diesel tank and fueling |
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system, provided that the maximum gross weight of the vehicle or |
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combination of vehicles may not exceed 82,000 pounds. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |