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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the maximum weight of a vehicle or combination of |
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vehicles operating at a port of entry or on certain roads associated |
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with or near a port of entry. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Sections 621.101(a) and (c), Transportation |
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Code, are amended to read as follows: |
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(a) A vehicle or combination of vehicles may not be operated |
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over or on a public highway [or at a port-of-entry between Texas and |
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the United Mexican States] if the vehicle or combination has: |
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(1) a single axle weight heavier than 20,000 pounds, |
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including all enforcement tolerances; |
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(2) a tandem axle weight heavier than 34,000 pounds, |
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including all enforcement tolerances; |
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(3) an overall gross weight on a group of two or more |
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consecutive axles heavier than the weight computed using the |
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following formula and rounding the result to the nearest 500 |
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pounds: |
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W = 500((LN/(N - 1)) + 12N + 36) |
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where: |
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"W" is maximum overall gross weight on the group; |
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"L" is distance in feet between the axles of the group that |
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are the farthest apart; and |
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"N" is number of axles in the group; or |
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(4) tires that carry a weight heavier than the weight |
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specified and marked on the sidewall of the tire, unless the vehicle |
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is being operated under the terms of a special permit. |
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(c) This section does not: |
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(1) authorize size or weight limits on the national |
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system of interstate and defense highways in this state greater |
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than those permitted under 23 U.S.C. Section 127, as amended; |
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(2) prohibit the operation of a vehicle or combination |
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of vehicles that could be lawfully operated on a highway or road of |
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this state on December 16, 1974; or |
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(3) apply to a vehicle or combination of vehicles that |
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operates exclusively: |
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(A) [at a private port of entry; |
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[(B)] on private roads associated with a [the] |
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port of entry; and |
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(B) [(C)] across a public highway between |
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private roads associated with a [the] port of entry under a contract |
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under Section 623.052. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |