H.B. No. 4156
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the issuance of permits for the movement of oversize and
  overweight vehicles in certain counties; authorizing an increase in
  the amount of a fee.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 623.210, Transportation Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 623.210.  OPTIONAL PROCEDURE.  This subchapter
  provides an optional procedure for the issuance of a permit for the
  movement of oversize or overweight vehicles carrying cargo on state
  highways located in counties:
               (1)  contiguous to the Gulf of Mexico or a bay or inlet
  opening into the gulf and:
                     (A) [(1)]  adjacent to at least two counties with
  a population of 550,000 or more; or
                     (B) [(2)]  bordering the United Mexican States;
  or
               (2)  contiguous to the Gulf of Mexico or a bay or inlet
  opening into the gulf with a population of not more than 200,000 and
  adjacent to a county described by Subdivision (1)(A).
         SECTION 2.  Section 623.212, Transportation Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 623.212.  PERMITS BY PORT AUTHORITY.  The commission
  may authorize a port authority to issue permits for the movement of
  oversize or overweight vehicles carrying cargo on state highways
  located in counties:
               (1)  contiguous to the Gulf of Mexico or a bay or inlet
  opening into the gulf and:
                     (A) [(1)]  adjacent to at least two counties with
  a population of 550,000 or more; or
                     (B) [(2)]  bordering the United Mexican States;
  or
               (2)  contiguous to the Gulf of Mexico or a bay or inlet
  opening into the gulf with a population of not more than 200,000 and
  adjacent to a county described by Subdivision (1)(A).
         SECTION 3.  Section 623.214(a), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  A port authority may collect a fee for permits issued
  under this subchapter. Such fees shall not exceed $120 [$80] per
  trip.
         SECTION 4.  Section 623.219(b), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  For a permit issued by a port authority located in a
  county that is adjacent to at least two counties with a population
  of 550,000 or more, the commission shall, with the consent of the
  port authority, designate the most direct route from:
               (1)  the intersection of Farm-to-Market Road 523 and
  Moller Road to the entrance of Port Freeport using Farm-to-Market
  Roads 523 and 1495;
               (2)  the intersection of State Highway 288 and Chlorine
  Road to the entrance of Port Freeport using State Highway 288;
               (3)  the intersection of State Highway 288 and Chlorine
  Road to the entrance of Port Freeport using State Highways 288 and
  332 and Farm-to-Market Roads 523 and 1495;
               (4)  the intersection of North Velasco Boulevard and
  South Avenue J in the city of Freeport to the entrance of Port
  Freeport using North Velasco Boulevard and Farm-to-Market Road
  1495; [and]
               (5)  21441 Loop 419 in the city of Sweeny to the
  entrance of Port Freeport using Loop 419, State Highways 35 and 36,
  and Farm-to-Market Road 1495; and
               (6)  5261 Seventh Street in Bay City to the entrance of
  Port Freeport using State Highway 35, Loop 419, State Highway 36,
  and Farm-to-Market Road 1495.
         SECTION 5.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 4156 was passed by the House on May 4,
  2017, by the following vote:  Yeas 143, Nays 0, 2 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 4156 was passed by the Senate on May
  12, 2017, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 1.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor