HBA-DMH H.B. 700 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 700
By: Alexander
Transportation
2/12/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Current law allows a commercial motor vehicle owner, by obtaining special
tolerance permits, to operate certain vehicles that exceed the allowable
gross weight or axle weight by a specified percentage on a bridge or
culvert.  House Bill 700 modifies provisions governing the operation of a
vehicle that has been issued a special tolerance permit for heavy vehicles
to protect load-posted bridges and culverts from additional deterioration
or damage. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 700 amends the Transportation Code to provide that operation of
a vehicle with a permit for excess axle or gross weight is not authorized
if the weight of the vehicle exceeds the posted maximum weight on a bridge
or culvert, unless it is traveling on the only public highway or road that
the vehicle can use to travel from its point of origin to its destination. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001.