BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2999

By: Harris Davila

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The bill author has informed the committee that the hydrogen sector of the energy industry is rapidly expanding and that hydrogen is often used in the heavy weight transportation sector as a fuel source. The bill author has informed the committee that if the federal weight limit for hydrogen trucks were to increase, our state would have to wait until the next legislative session to match that increase. H.B. 2999 seeks to allow the hydrogen truck industry to continue to grow in Texas by establishing an automatic weight limit increase if the hydrogen truck weight limit is increased by the federal government.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2999 amends the Transportation Code to authorize a vehicle or combination of vehicles that is powered by an engine fueled primarily by hydrogen to exceed any statutory weight limitation by an amount that is equal to the difference between the weight of the vehicle attributable to the hydrogen tank and fueling system carried by that vehicle and the weight of a comparable diesel tank and fueling system, provided that the maximum gross weight of the vehicle or combination of vehicles does not exceed 82,000 pounds.

H.B. 2999 conditions that authorization on the U.S. Congress enacting legislation or a federal agency adopting a regulation that becomes law authorizing a vehicle that is powered by an engine fueled primarily by hydrogen to be operated on a federal interstate or highway at a weight that exceeds a weight limitation established by federal law. If the U.S. Congress or a federal agency does not enact such legislation or adopt such a regulation that becomes law, the bill has no effect.

EFFECTIVE DATE

Except as otherwise provided, September 1, 2025.