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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the designation of routes for the movement of oversize |
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and overweight vehicles in certain counties. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 623, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 623.009 read as follows: |
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Sec. 623.009. DESIGNATED ROUTE IN COUNTY. (a) This section |
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applies only to a county that: |
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(1) has a population of less than 100,000; and |
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(2) contains a port or is located within 15 miles of a |
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port. |
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(b) Notwithstanding Section 623.003, to the extent the |
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department is required to determine a route under this chapter in |
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the unincorporated area of a county, the department shall consult |
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with the commissioners court of the county to designate to the |
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department the route in that area. The commissioners court shall |
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consult with the Texas Department of Transportation, port |
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authorities, regional planning organizations, and trucking |
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industry before recommending the designation of a route under this |
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section. |
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(c) In making a routing recommendation under this section, |
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the commissioners court shall consider: |
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(1) the proximity of the route to ports, |
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transportation hubs, and intermodal facilities; |
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(2) existing roadway conditions, infrastructure, and |
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capacity to support oversize and overweight vehicles; |
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(3) traffic safety concerns, including accident |
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history and the safety of local communities; |
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(4) environmental impacts, including air quality and |
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noise pollution; and |
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(5) potential for economic development, including the |
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movement of goods to and from local businesses and industries. |
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(d) The Texas Department of Transportation: |
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(1) is responsible for installing appropriate signs |
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for the designated route; and |
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(2) shall allocate money from the state highway fund |
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for the maintenance of the designated route if authorized under |
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Subtitle B, Title 6. |
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(e) The Department of Public Safety shall have authority to |
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enforce requirements related to a route designated under this |
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section. |
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SECTION 2. Section 623.009, Transportation Code, as added |
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by this Act, applies only to a routing determination made under |
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Chapter 623, Transportation Code, on or after the effective date of |
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this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |