81R10036 SLB-D
By: Jones H.B. No. 4186
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to weight limits on a vehicle loaded with certain
agricultural products.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 621.508, Transportation Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 621.508. AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE FOR OPERATING VEHICLE
OVER MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE AXLE WEIGHT. It is an affirmative defense to
prosecution of, or an action under Subchapter F for, the offense of
operating a vehicle with a gross [single axle] weight [or tandem
axle weight] heavier than the [axle] weight authorized by law that
at the time of the offense the vehicle:
(1) had a gross [single axle] weight [or tandem axle
weight] that was not heavier than the [axle] weight authorized by
law plus 12 percent;
(2) was loaded with timber, pulp wood, wood chips, or
cotton, livestock, or other agricultural products that are:
(A) in their natural state; and
(B) being transported from the place of
production to the place of first marketing or first processing; and
(3) was not being operated on a portion of the national
system of interstate and defense highways.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.