86R354 JAM-D By: Lucio S.B. No. 1717 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the issuance of a permit by certain port authorities for the operation and movement of oversize vehicles. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 623.212, Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 623.212. PERMITS BY PORT AUTHORITY. (a) 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) adjacent to at least two counties with a population of 550,000 or more; or (B) 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). (b) A permit issued under this subchapter may authorize the movement of a combination of vehicles that exceed the maximum length allowed by other law to be transported over a state highway only if the combination: (1) uses only the routes designated under Section 623.219; and (2) is carrying cargo across an international border. (c) A port authority may not issue a permit under this section unless the combination of vehicles may be operated without material damage to the highway. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.