The bill would add new Section 623.451 to the Transportation Code to authorize the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) to issue a special permit to an oversize or overweight vehicle or load that can be easily dismantled or divided and will be used to only to deliver certain agricultural commodities only (1) during an emergency or major disaster declared by the President of the United States or (2) preceding an event that may result in a disaster declaration by the Governor, if the issuance of the permit for the event is authorized by the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM). The bill would not authorize the operation on the interstate highway system or federal aid primary highway system of a vehicle with a size or weight greater than those permitted under federal law.
Based on the analysis of TxDMV and TDEM, it is assumed implementation of the provisions of the bill could be absorbed within the agencies' existing resources and issuance of the permits authorized by the bill would not result in a significant fiscal impact to the State.
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.