The bill would amend the Transportation Code to authorize a vehicle or combination of vehicles powered by an engine fueled primarily or secondarily by liquefied petroleum gas to exceed any weight limitation under Transportation Code, Section 621.101, by an amount equal to the difference between the weight attributable to the vehicle's liquefied petroleum gas tank and fueling system and the weight of a comparable diesel tank and fueling system, provided that the gross vehicle weight does not exceed 81,000 pounds.
Based on the information provided by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), implementation of the bill would not result in a significant direct fiscal impact to the State.
Note: According to TxDOT, liquid petroleum gas vehicles are not one of the stated exemptions to federal vehicle weight limitations for the interstate highway system. If these vehicles were allowed to operate on the interstate sanction, Texas would be in violation of 23 U.S. Code, Section 127, which requires the federal Secretary of Transportation to withhold 50 percent of the state's apportionment under the National Highway Performance Program in any fiscal year in which the state in noncompliance.
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.