TITLE: Relating to the operation of vehicles transporting agricultural products; authorizing a fee.

SUMMARY: Relating to the operation of vehicles transporting agricultural products; authorizing a fee.

FULL TEXT:
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.