By: Guillen H.B. No. 5225
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the issuance of an excess gross weight permit for
  certain farm tractors on county and FM roads; authorizing a fee.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 623, Transportation Code,
  is amended by adding Section 623.0173 to read as follows:
         Sec. 623.0173.  EXCESS GROSS WEIGHT PERMIT FOR CERTAIN FARM
  TRACTORS. (a)  In this section:
               (1)  "farm tractor" has the meaning assigned by Section
  541.201;
               (2)  "accessory" means any additional attachment being
  pulled or carried by the farm tractor that contributes to the farm
  tractor's total weight.
         (b)  The department shall issue an annual permit that
  authorizes the operation of a farm tractor and any accessories that
  are used for agricultural production on county, and FM roads at a
  gross weight that is not heavier than the weight equal to the
  maximum allowable gross weight for the tractor plus a tolerance
  allowance of 10 percent.
         (c)  To qualify for a permit under this section:
               (1)  the farm tractor must be registered as a farm
  vehicle under Chapter 502; and
               (2)  the applicant must pay an annual permit fee of $90.
         (d)  A permit issued under this section must be carried in
  the farm tractor for which it is issued.
         (e)  This section 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.
         (f)  A permit issued under 623.0173 does not authorize the
  operation of a vehicle on a bridge for which a maximum weight and
  load limit has been established and posted by the Texas
  Transportation Commission under Section 621.102 or the
  commissioners court of a county under Section 621.301, if the gross
  weight of the vehicle and load or the axles and wheel loads are
  greater than the limits established and posted under those sections
         (g)  The department may adopt rules necessary to administer
  this section, including rules governing the application for a
  permit under this section.
         (h)  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 farm tractor in addition to a permit, fee, or
  license required by state law.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.