By: Guillen H.B. No. 4535
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the weight limit of certain vehicles.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 621.101, Transportation Code Code, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 621.101. MAXIMUM WEIGHT OF VEHICLE OR COMBINATION.
(a) A vehicle or combination of vehicles may not be operated over
or on a public highway or at a port-of-entry between Texas and the
United Mexican States if the vehicle or combination has:
(1) a single axle weight heavier than 20,000 pounds,
including all enforcement tolerances;
(1-a) subsection (1) does not apply to vehicles that
are transporting items that have a reasonable possibility of
shifting during transit;
(2) a tandem axle weight heavier than 34,000 pounds,
including all enforcement tolerances;
(2-a) subsection (2) does not apply to vehicles that
are transporting items that have a reasonable possibility of
shifting during transit;
(3) an overall gross weight on a group of two or more
consecutive axles heavier than the weight computed using the
following formula and rounding the result to the nearest 500
pounds:
W = 500((LN/(N - 1)) + 12N + 36)
where:
"W" is maximum overall gross weight on the group;
"L" is distance in feet between the axles of the group
that are the farthest apart; and
"N" is number of axles in the group; or
(4) tires that carry a weight heavier than the weight
specified and marked on the sidewall of the tire, unless the vehicle
is being operated under the terms of a special permit.
(b) Notwithstanding Subsection (a)(3), two consecutive sets
of tandem axles may carry a gross load of not more than 34,000
pounds each if the overall distance between the first and last axles
of the consecutive sets is 36 feet or more. The overall gross
weight on a group of two or more consecutive axles may not be
heavier than 80,000 pounds, including all enforcement tolerances,
regardless of tire ratings, axle spacing (bridge), and number of
axles.
(b-1) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section,
a vehicle or combination of vehicles that is powered by an engine
fueled primarily by natural gas may exceed any weight limitation
under this section by an amount that is equal to the difference
between the weight of the vehicle attributable to the natural gas
tank and fueling system carried by that vehicle and the weight of a
comparable diesel tank and fueling system, provided that the
maximum gross weight of the vehicle or combination of vehicles may
not exceed 82,000 pounds.
(c) This section does not:
(1) authorize size or weight limits on the national
system of interstate and defense highways in this state greater
than those permitted under 23 U.S.C. Section 127, as amended;
(2) prohibit the operation of a vehicle or combination
of vehicles that could be lawfully operated on a highway or road of
this state on December 16, 1974; or
(3) apply to a vehicle or combination of vehicles that
operates exclusively:
(A) at a private port of entry;
(B) on private roads associated with the port of
entry; and
(C) across a public highway between private roads
associated with the port of entry under a contract under Section
623.052.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2021.