TITLE: Relating to size and weight limitations for certain vehicles transporting agricultural products and equipment.

SUMMARY: Relating to size and weight limitations for certain vehicles transporting agricultural products and equipment.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to size and weight limitations for certain vehicles transporting agricultural products and equipment. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. The heading to Section 622.101, Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 622.101. VEHICLE TRANSPORTING CERTAIN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS OR PROCESSING EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATED WITH COTTON OR CHILE PEPPER MODULES.SECTION 2. Subchapter I, Chapter 622, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Section 622.102 to read as follows: Sec. 622.102. VEHICLES TRANSPORTING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS DURING HARVEST SEASON. (a) This section applies only to a vehicle or a combination of vehicles being used to transport agricultural products that are in their natural state and are being transported not more than 100 miles from the place of production to the place of first marketing or first processing. (b) A vehicle or combination of vehicles to which this section applies may be operated at a weight that exceeds the weight limitations of Section 621.101 by not more than 15 percent if the vehicle or combination of vehicles is operated during the harvest season for the products being transported. (c) The department, in coordination with the Department of Agriculture, by rule shall determine the harvest season of each agricultural product authorized to be transported under this section. (d) This section does not authorize the operation on the national system of interstate and defense highways in this state of a vehicle or combination of vehicles of a size or weight greater than those permitted under 23 U.S.C. Section 127. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.