| |
| |
|
|
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. |