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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the issuance of excess axle or gross weight permits. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 623.011, Transportation Code, is |
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amended by amending Subsection (a) to read as follows: |
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(a) The department may issue a permit that authorizes the |
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operation of a commercial motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, or |
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combination of those vehicles, or a truck-tractor or combination of |
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a truck-tractor and one or more other vehicles: |
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(1) at an axle weight that is not heavier than the |
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weight equal to the maximum allowable axle weight for the vehicle or |
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combination plus a tolerance allowance of 10 percent of that |
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allowable weight; and |
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(2) at a gross weight that is not heavier than the |
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weight equal to the maximum allowable gross weight for the vehicle |
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or combination plus a tolerance allowance of five percent. |
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(b) To qualify for a permit under this section: |
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(1) the vehicle must be registered under Chapter 502 |
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for the maximum gross weight applicable to the vehicle under |
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Section 621.101, not to exceed 80,000 pounds; |
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(2) the security requirement of Section 623.012 must |
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be satisfied; and |
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(3) a base permit fee of $90, any additional fee |
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required by Section 623.0111, and any additional fee set by the |
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board under Section 623.0112 must be paid. |
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(c) A permit issued under this section: |
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(1) is valid for one year; and |
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(2) must be carried in the vehicle for which it is |
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issued. |
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(d) When the department issues a permit under this section, |
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the department shall issue a sticker to be placed on the front |
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windshield of the vehicle. The department shall design the form of |
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the sticker to aid in the enforcement of weight limits for vehicles. |
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(e) The sticker must: |
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(1) indicate the expiration date of the permit; and |
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(2) be removed from the vehicle when: |
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(A) the permit for operation of the vehicle |
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expires; |
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(B) a lease of the vehicle expires; or |
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(C) the vehicle is sold. |
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(f) A person commits an offense if the person fails to |
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display the sticker in the manner required by Subsection (d). An |
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offense under this subsection is a Class C misdemeanor. Section |
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623.019(g) applies to an offense under this subsection. |
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(g) A vehicle operating under a permit issued under this |
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section may exceed the maximum allowable gross weight tolerance |
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allowance by not more than five percent, regardless of the weight of |
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any one axle or tandem axle, if no axle or tandem axle exceeds the |
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tolerance permitted by Subsection (a). |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |