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	Amend CSHB 300 (house committee printing) by adding the 
following ARTICLE to the bill, appropriately numbered, and 
renumbering subsequent ARTICLES accordingly:

ARTICLE ____. MOTOR CARRIER OVERSIZE AND

OVERWEIGHT PERMITS
	SECTION ____.01. Subchapter D, Chapter 623, Transportation 
Code, is amended by adding Section 623.0711 to read as follows:
	Sec. 623.0711. PERMITS AUTHORIZED BY COMMISSION ORDER. (a)  
The commission by order may authorize the department to issue a 
permit to a motor carrier, as defined by Section 643.001, to 
transport multiple loads of the same commodity over a state highway 
if all of the loads are traveling from and to the same general 
locations.
	(b) The commission may not authorize the issuance of a permit 
that  would violate federal regulations on size and weight 
requirements or authorize the issuance of a permit for equipment 
that could reasonably be dismantled for transportation as separate 
loads.
	(c) To be eligible for a permit under this section, the 
department must determine that the state will benefit from the 
issuance of this type of expedited permitting process.
	(d) Before the commission may adopt an order under this 
section, the department must complete a route and engineering study 
that considers:
		(1) the estimated number of loads to be transported by 
the motor carrier under the permit;
		(2) the size and weight of the commodity;                              
		(3) available routes that can accommodate the size and 
weight of the vehicle and load to be transported;
		(4) the potential roadway damage caused by repeated use 
of the road by the permitted vehicle;
		(5) any disruption caused by the movement of the 
permitted vehicle; and
		(6) safety to the traveling public.                                    
	(e) The commission may impose on the motor carrier any 
condition regarding routing, time of travel, axle weight,  and 
escort vehicles necessary to ensure safe operation and minimal 
damage to the roadway.
	(f) A permit issued under this section may provide multiple 
routes to reach the destination to minimize damage  to the roadways.
	(g) The commission shall require the motor carrier to file a 
bond in an amount set by the commission, payable to the department 
and conditioned on the motor carrier paying to the department any 
damage that is sustained to a state highway because of the operation 
of a vehicle under a permit issued under this section.
	(h) The fee for a permit under this section may not exceed 
$7,000.    
	(i) The executive director or the executive director's 
designee may suspend a permit issued under this section or alter a 
designated route because of:
		(1) a change in pavement conditions;                                   
		(2) a change in traffic conditions;                                    
		(3) a geometric change in roadway configuration;                       
		(4) construction or maintenance activity; or                           
		(5) emergency or incident management.                                  
	(j) Permits issued under this section are subject to  the 
administrative sanctions of Subchapter N.
	SECTION ____.02  Section 623.071, Transportation Code, is 
amended by adding Subsection (h) to read as follows:
	(h) On completion of a route and engineering study,  a single 
trip permit that exceeds the length established by Subsection (c) 
may be issued by the department and used in conjunction with an 
annual permit issued under Subsection (c) if the department 
determines that the additional length can be transported safely.