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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the issuance of an excess gross weight permit for |
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certain farm tractors on county, farm-to-market, and |
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ranch-to-market roads; authorizing a fee. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 623, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 623.0173 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 623.0173. EXCESS GROSS WEIGHT PERMIT FOR CERTAIN FARM |
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TRACTORS. (a) In this section: |
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(1) "Accessory" means any additional attachment being |
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pulled or carried by a farm tractor that contributes to the farm |
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tractor's gross weight. |
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(2) "Farm tractor" has the meaning assigned by Section |
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541.201. |
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(b) The department shall issue an annual permit that |
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authorizes the operation of a farm tractor, including any |
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accessories that are used for agricultural production, on county, |
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farm-to-market, and ranch-to-market roads at a gross weight that is |
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not heavier than the weight equal to the maximum allowable gross |
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weight for the tractor plus a tolerance allowance of 10 percent. |
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(c) To qualify for a permit under this section: |
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(1) the farm tractor must be registered as a farm |
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vehicle under Chapter 502; and |
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(2) the applicant must: |
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(A) designate in the permit application each |
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county in which the farm tractor will be operated; and |
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(B) pay an annual permit fee of $90. |
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(d) A permit issued under this section must be carried in |
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the farm tractor for which it is issued. |
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(e) A permit issued under this section does not authorize |
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the operation of a farm tractor on a bridge for which a maximum |
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weight and load limit has been established and posted by the Texas |
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Department of Transportation under Section 621.102 or the |
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commissioners court of a county under Section 621.301, if the gross |
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weight of the farm tractor and load or the axles and wheel loads are |
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greater than the limits established and posted under those |
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sections. |
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(f) Unless otherwise provided by state or federal law, a |
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county may not require a permit, fee, or license for the operation |
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of a farm tractor in addition to a permit, fee, or license required |
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by state law. |
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(g) The fee collected for a permit under this section shall |
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be divided equally among and distributed to the counties designated |
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in the permit application for deposit to the credit of the county |
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road and bridge fund of those counties. |
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(h) The department may adopt rules necessary to administer |
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this section, including rules governing the application for a |
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permit under this section. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |