85R23265 AAF-F By: Bonnen of Brazoria H.B. No. 4156 Substitute the following for H.B. No. 4156: By: Morrison C.S.H.B. No. 4156 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the issuance of permits for the movement of oversize and overweight vehicles in certain counties; authorizing an increase in the amount of a fee. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 623.210, Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 623.210. OPTIONAL PROCEDURE. This subchapter provides an optional procedure for the issuance of a permit for the movement of oversize or overweight vehicles carrying cargo on state highways located in counties: (1) contiguous to the Gulf of Mexico or a bay or inlet opening into the gulf and: (A) [(1)] adjacent to at least two counties with a population of 550,000 or more; or (B) [(2)] bordering the United Mexican States; or (2) contiguous to the Gulf of Mexico or a bay or inlet opening into the gulf with a population of not more than 200,000 and adjacent to a county described by Subdivision (1)(A). SECTION 2. Section 623.212, Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 623.212. PERMITS BY PORT AUTHORITY. The commission may authorize a port authority to issue permits for the movement of oversize or overweight vehicles carrying cargo on state highways located in counties: (1) contiguous to the Gulf of Mexico or a bay or inlet opening into the gulf and: (A) [(1)] adjacent to at least two counties with a population of 550,000 or more; or (B) [(2)] bordering the United Mexican States; or (2) contiguous to the Gulf of Mexico or a bay or inlet opening into the gulf with a population of not more than 200,000 and adjacent to a county described by Subdivision (1)(A). SECTION 3. Section 623.214(a), Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) A port authority may collect a fee for permits issued under this subchapter. Such fees shall not exceed $120 [$80] per trip. SECTION 4. Section 623.219(b), Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows: (b) For a permit issued by a port authority located in a county that is adjacent to at least two counties with a population of 550,000 or more, the commission shall, with the consent of the port authority, designate the most direct route from: (1) the intersection of Farm-to-Market Road 523 and Moller Road to the entrance of Port Freeport using Farm-to-Market Roads 523 and 1495; (2) the intersection of State Highway 288 and Chlorine Road to the entrance of Port Freeport using State Highway 288; (3) the intersection of State Highway 288 and Chlorine Road to the entrance of Port Freeport using State Highways 288 and 332 and Farm-to-Market Roads 523 and 1495; (4) the intersection of North Velasco Boulevard and South Avenue J in the city of Freeport to the entrance of Port Freeport using North Velasco Boulevard and Farm-to-Market Road 1495; [and] (5) 21441 Loop 419 in the city of Sweeny to the entrance of Port Freeport using Loop 419, State Highways 35 and 36, and Farm-to-Market Road 1495; and (6) 5261 Seventh Street in Bay City to the entrance of Port Freeport using State Highway 35, Loop 419, State Highway 36, and Farm-to-Market Road 1495. SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.