89R44 JRR-F
By: Guillen H.B. No. 597
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the issuance of an excess gross weight permit for
certain farm tractors on county, farm-to-market, and
ranch-to-market roads; 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 623.0173 to read as follows:
Sec. 623.0173. EXCESS GROSS WEIGHT PERMIT FOR CERTAIN FARM
TRACTORS. (a) In this section:
(1) "Accessory" means any additional attachment being
pulled or carried by a farm tractor that contributes to the farm
tractor's gross weight.
(2) "Farm tractor" has the meaning assigned by Section
541.201.
(b) The department shall issue an annual permit that
authorizes the operation of a farm tractor, including any
accessories that are used for agricultural production, on county,
farm-to-market, and ranch-to-market roads at a gross weight that is
not heavier than the weight equal to the maximum allowable gross
weight for the tractor plus a tolerance allowance of 10 percent.
(c) To qualify for a permit under this section:
(1) the farm tractor must be registered as a farm
vehicle under Chapter 502; and
(2) the applicant must:
(A) designate in the permit application each
county in which the farm tractor will be operated; and
(B) pay an annual permit fee of $90.
(d) A permit issued under this section must be carried in
the farm tractor for which it is issued.
(e) A permit issued under this section does not authorize
the operation of a farm tractor on a bridge for which a maximum
weight and load limit has been established and posted by the Texas
Department of Transportation under Section 621.102 or the
commissioners court of a county under Section 621.301, if the gross
weight of the farm tractor and load or the axles and wheel loads are
greater than the limits established and posted under those
sections.
(f) Unless otherwise provided by state or federal law, a
county may not require a permit, fee, or license for the operation
of a farm tractor in addition to a permit, fee, or license required
by state law.
(g) The fee collected for a permit under this section shall
be divided equally among and distributed to the counties designated
in the permit application for deposit to the credit of the county
road and bridge fund of those counties.
(h) The department may adopt rules necessary to administer
this section, including rules governing the application for a
permit under this section.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.