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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the creation of a criminal offense for operating or |
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moving an overweight vehicle transporting hazardous materials on a |
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route other than the designated permit route. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter G, Chapter 621, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 621.512 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 621.512. PROHIBITION ON OPERATING OVERWEIGHT VEHICLE |
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TRANSPORTING HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ON ROUTE OTHER THAN DESIGNATED |
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PERMIT ROUTE. (a) A person commits an offense if the person |
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operates or moves an overweight vehicle transporting hazardous |
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materials under a permit issued under this subtitle on a public |
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highway that is not included in the route designated under the |
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permit. |
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(b) An offense under this section is a felony of the second |
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degree. |
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(c) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this |
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section that, at the time of the offense, the vehicle was being |
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operated or moved: |
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(1) under the immediate direction of a law enforcement |
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agency; or |
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(2) in compliance with a permit authorizing the |
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movement of the vehicle issued by the department or a political |
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subdivision of this state. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |