85R5816 JRR-D
By: Burns H.B. No. 3807
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the operation of vehicles transporting agricultural
products; authorizing a fee.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 623, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 623.0172 to read as follows:
Sec. 623.0172. PERMIT FOR VEHICLES TRANSPORTING
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS. (a) The department shall issue a permit
that authorizes the operation of a vehicle or combination of
vehicles at a gross weight that is not heavier than 90,000 pounds
if:
(1) the vehicle or combination of vehicles is being
used to transport agricultural products that are in their natural
state; and
(2) the agricultural products are being transported
from the place of production to the place of first marketing or
first processing.
(b) To qualify for a permit under this section, a permit fee
of $25 must be paid.
(c) A permit issued under this section:
(1) is valid only for the specific agricultural
products authorized to be transported under the permit and only
during the harvest season of those products, as determined by the
department by rule; and
(2) must be carried in the vehicle for which it is
issued.
(d) The department by rule shall determine the harvest
season of each agricultural product authorized to be transported
under permits issued under this section.
(e) A vehicle issued a permit under this section may operate
on a state or county road if the vehicle does not exceed the maximum
gross weight authorized under Subsection (a).
(f) This section does not authorize the operation on the
national system of interstate and defense highways in this state of
a vehicle of a size or weight greater than those permitted under 23
U.S.C. Section 127.
(g) If the United States authorizes the operation on the
national system of interstate and defense highways of a vehicle of a
size or weight greater than those permitted under 23 U.S.C. Section
127 on September 1, 2017, the new limit automatically takes effect
on the national system of interstate and defense highways in this
state.
(h) The department may adopt rules necessary to implement
this section, including rules governing the application for a
permit under this section.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.