|
|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
relating to the transfer of permit procedures and enforcement |
|
related to oversize and overweight vehicles from the Texas |
|
Department of Transportation to the Texas Department of Motor |
|
Vehicles. |
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
SECTION 1. Section 621.001, Transportation Code, is amended |
|
by amending Subdivisions (3) and (4) and adding Subdivision (13) to |
|
read as follows: |
|
(3) "Department" means the Texas Department of Motor |
|
Vehicles [Transportation]. |
|
(4) "Director" means the executive director of the |
|
Texas Department of Motor Vehicles [Transportation]. |
|
(13) "Board" means the board of the Texas Department |
|
of Motor Vehicles. |
|
SECTION 2. Section 621.003(a), Transportation Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) The board [commission] by rule may authorize the |
|
director to enter into with the proper authority of another state an |
|
agreement that authorizes: |
|
(1) the authority of the other state to issue on behalf |
|
of the department to the owner or operator of a vehicle, or |
|
combination of vehicles, that exceeds the weight or size limits |
|
allowed by this state a permit that authorizes the operation or |
|
transportation on a highway in this state of the vehicle or |
|
combination of vehicles; and |
|
(2) the department to issue on behalf of the authority |
|
of the other state to the owner or operator of a vehicle, or |
|
combination of vehicles, that exceeds the weight or size limits |
|
allowed by that state a permit that authorizes the operation or |
|
transportation on a highway of that state of the vehicle or |
|
combination of vehicles. |
|
SECTION 3. Section 621.004, Transportation Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 621.004. ADMISSIBILITY OF CERTIFICATE OF VERTICAL |
|
CLEARANCE. In each civil or criminal proceeding in which a |
|
violation of this chapter may be an issue, a certificate of the |
|
vertical clearance of a structure, including a bridge or underpass, |
|
signed by the executive director of the Texas Department of |
|
Transportation is admissible in evidence for all purposes. |
|
SECTION 4. Section 621.006, Transportation Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 621.006. RESTRICTED OPERATION ON CERTAIN HOLIDAYS. |
|
The commission [department] by rule may impose restrictions on the |
|
weight and size of vehicles to be operated on state highways on the |
|
following holidays only: |
|
(1) New Year's Day; |
|
(2) Memorial Day; |
|
(3) Independence Day; |
|
(4) Labor Day; |
|
(5) Thanksgiving Day; and |
|
(6) Christmas Day. |
|
SECTION 5. Subchapter A, Chapter 621, Transportation Code, |
|
is amended by adding Section 621.008 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 621.008. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY. The board may adopt |
|
rules necessary to implement and enforce this chapter. |
|
SECTION 6. Section 621.102(d), Transportation Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(d) A maximum weight or load set under this section becomes |
|
effective on a highway or road when appropriate signs giving notice |
|
of the maximum weight or load are erected on the highway or road by |
|
the Texas Department of Transportation under order of the |
|
commission. |
|
SECTION 7. Sections 621.202(a) and (b), Transportation |
|
Code, are amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) To comply with safety and operational requirements of |
|
federal law, the commission by order may set the maximum width of a |
|
vehicle, including the load on the vehicle, at eight feet for a |
|
designated highway or segment of a highway if the results of an |
|
engineering and traffic study, conducted by the Texas Department of |
|
Transportation, that includes an analysis of structural capacity of |
|
bridges and pavements, traffic volume, unique climatic conditions, |
|
and width of traffic lanes support the change. |
|
(b) An order under this section becomes effective on the |
|
designated highway or segment when appropriate signs giving notice |
|
of the limitations are erected by the Texas Department of |
|
Transportation. |
|
SECTION 8. Sections 621.301(a) and (d), Transportation |
|
Code, are amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) The commissioners court of a county may establish load |
|
limits for any county road or bridge only with the concurrence of |
|
the Texas Department of Transportation [department]. A load limit |
|
shall be deemed concurred with by the Texas Department of |
|
Transportation [department] 30 days after the county submits to the |
|
Texas Department of Transportation [department] the load limit |
|
accompanied by supporting documentation and calculations reviewed |
|
and sealed by an engineer licensed in this state, though the Texas |
|
Department of Transportation [department] may review the load limit |
|
and withdraw concurrence at any time after the 30-day period. |
|
(d) A maximum weight set under this section becomes |
|
effective on a road when appropriate signs giving notice of the |
|
maximum weight are erected by the Texas Department of |
|
Transportation on the road under order of the commissioners court. |
|
SECTION 9. Section 621.352(a), Transportation Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) The board [commission] by rule may establish fees for |
|
the administration of Section 621.003 in an amount that, when added |
|
to the other fees collected by the department, does not exceed the |
|
amount sufficient to recover the actual cost to the department of |
|
administering that section. An administrative fee collected under |
|
this section shall be sent to the comptroller for deposit to the |
|
credit of the state highway fund and may be appropriated only to the |
|
department for the administration of Section 621.003. |
|
SECTION 10. Section 621.356, Transportation Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 621.356. FORM OF PAYMENT. The board [commission] may |
|
adopt rules prescribing the method for payment of a fee for a permit |
|
issued by the department that authorizes the operation of a vehicle |
|
and its load or a combination of vehicles and load exceeding size or |
|
weight limitations. The rules may: |
|
(1) authorize the use of electronic funds transfer or |
|
a credit card issued by: |
|
(A) a financial institution chartered by a state |
|
or the federal government; or |
|
(B) a nationally recognized credit organization |
|
approved by the board [commission]; and |
|
(2) require the payment of a discount or service |
|
charge for a credit card payment in addition to the fee. |
|
SECTION 11. Section 621.504, Transportation Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 621.504. BRIDGE OR UNDERPASS CLEARANCE. A person may |
|
not operate or attempt to operate a vehicle over or on a bridge or |
|
through an underpass or similar structure unless the height of the |
|
vehicle, including load, is less than the vertical clearance of the |
|
structure as shown by the records of the Texas Department of |
|
Transportation [department]. |
|
SECTION 12. Section 622.001, Transportation Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 622.001. DEFINITIONS [DEFINITION]. In this chapter: |
|
(1) "Commission" means the Texas Transportation |
|
Commission. |
|
(2) "Department"[, "department"] means the Texas |
|
Department of Motor Vehicles [Transportation]. |
|
SECTION 13. Subchapter A, Chapter 622, Transportation Code, |
|
is amended by adding Section 622.002 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 622.002. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY. The board of the |
|
department may adopt rules necessary to implement and enforce this |
|
chapter. |
|
SECTION 14. Sections 622.013(a) and (b), Transportation |
|
Code, are amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) The owner of a ready-mixed concrete truck with a tandem |
|
axle weight heavier than 34,000 pounds shall before operating the |
|
vehicle on a public highway of this state file with the department a |
|
surety bond subject to the approval of the Texas Department of |
|
Transportation [department] in the principal amount set by the |
|
Texas Department of Transportation [department] not to exceed |
|
$15,000 for each truck. |
|
(b) The bond must be conditioned that the owner of the truck |
|
will pay to the Texas Department of Transportation [state], within |
|
the limit of the bond, any damage to a highway caused by the |
|
operation of the truck. |
|
SECTION 15. Sections 622.134(a) and (b), Transportation |
|
Code, are amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) Except as provided by Subsection (c), the owner of a |
|
vehicle covered by this subchapter with a tandem axle weight |
|
heavier than 34,000 pounds shall before operating the vehicle on a |
|
public highway of this state file with the department a surety bond |
|
subject to the approval of the Texas Department of Transportation |
|
[department] in the principal amount set by the Texas Department of |
|
Transportation [department] not to exceed $15,000 for each vehicle. |
|
(b) The bond must be conditioned that the owner of the |
|
vehicle will pay, within the limits of the bond, to the Texas |
|
Department of Transportation [state] any damage to a highway, to a |
|
county any damage to a county road, and to a municipality any damage |
|
to a municipal street caused by the operation of the vehicle. |
|
SECTION 16. Section 623.001, Transportation Code, is |
|
amended by amending Subdivision (1) and adding Subdivisions (4) and |
|
(5) to read as follows: |
|
(1) "Department" means the Texas Department of Motor |
|
Vehicles [Transportation]. |
|
(4) "Board" means the board of the Texas Department of |
|
Motor Vehicles. |
|
(5) "Commission" means the Texas Transportation |
|
Commission. |
|
SECTION 17. Subchapter A, Chapter 623, Transportation Code, |
|
is amended by adding Sections 623.002 and 623.003 to read as |
|
follows: |
|
Sec. 623.002. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY. The board may adopt |
|
rules necessary to implement and enforce this chapter. |
|
Sec. 623.003. ROUTE DETERMINATION. (a) To the extent the |
|
department is required to determine a route under this chapter, the |
|
department shall base the department's routing decision on |
|
information provided by the Texas Department of Transportation. |
|
(b) The Texas Department of Transportation shall provide |
|
the department with all routing information necessary to complete a |
|
permit issued under Section 623.071, 623.121, 623.142, or 623.192. |
|
SECTION 18. Section 623.0112, Transportation Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 623.0112. ADDITIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE FEE. When a |
|
person applies for a permit under Section 623.011, the person must |
|
pay in addition to other fees an administrative fee adopted by board |
|
[department] rule in an amount not to exceed the direct and indirect |
|
cost to the department of: |
|
(1) issuing a sticker under Section 623.011(d); |
|
(2) distributing fees under Section 621.353; and |
|
(3) notifying counties under Section 623.013. |
|
SECTION 19. Section 623.012(b), Transportation Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) The bond or letter of credit must: |
|
(1) be in the amount of $15,000 payable to the Texas |
|
Department of Transportation [department] and the counties of this |
|
state; |
|
(2) be conditioned that the applicant will pay the |
|
Texas Department of Transportation [department] for any damage to a |
|
state highway, and a county for any damage to a road or bridge of the |
|
county, caused by the operation of the vehicle for which the permit |
|
is issued at a heavier weight than the maximum weights authorized by |
|
Subchapter B of Chapter 621 or Section 621.301; and |
|
(3) provide that the issuer is to notify the Texas |
|
Department of Transportation [department] and the applicant in |
|
writing promptly after a payment is made by the issuer on the bond |
|
or letter of credit. |
|
SECTION 20. Sections 623.016(a) and (b), Transportation |
|
Code, are amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) The Texas Department of Transportation [department] or |
|
a county may recover on the bond or letter of credit required for a |
|
permit issued under Section 623.011 only by a suit against the |
|
permit holder and the issuer of the bond or letter of credit. |
|
(b) Venue for a suit by the Texas Department of |
|
Transportation [department] is in a district court in: |
|
(1) the county in which the defendant resides; |
|
(2) the county in which the defendant has its |
|
principal place of business in this state if the defendant is a |
|
corporation or partnership; or |
|
(3) Travis County if the defendant is a corporation or |
|
partnership that does not have a principal place of business in this |
|
state. |
|
SECTION 21. Section 623.051(a), Transportation Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) A person may operate a vehicle that cannot comply with |
|
one or more of the restrictions of Subchapter C of Chapter 621 or |
|
Section 621.101 to cross the width of any road or highway under the |
|
jurisdiction of the Texas Department of Transportation |
|
[department], other than a controlled access highway as defined by |
|
Section 203.001, from private property to other private property if |
|
the person contracts with the commission to indemnify the Texas |
|
Department of Transportation [department] for the cost of |
|
maintenance and repair of the part of the highway crossed by the |
|
vehicle. |
|
SECTION 22. Section 623.052(b), Transportation Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) Before a person may operate a vehicle under this |
|
section, the person must: |
|
(1) contract with the Texas Department of |
|
Transportation [department] to indemnify the Texas Department of |
|
Transportation [department] for the cost of the maintenance and |
|
repair for damage caused by a vehicle crossing that part of the |
|
highway; and |
|
(2) execute an adequate surety bond to compensate for |
|
the cost of maintenance and repair, approved by the comptroller and |
|
the attorney general, with a corporate surety authorized to do |
|
business in this state, conditioned on the person fulfilling each |
|
obligation of the agreement. |
|
SECTION 23. Section 623.075(a), Transportation Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) Before the department may issue a permit under this |
|
subchapter, the applicant shall file with the department a bond in |
|
an amount set by the Texas Department of Transportation |
|
[department], payable to the Texas Department of Transportation |
|
[department], and conditioned that the applicant will pay to the |
|
Texas Department of Transportation [department] any damage that |
|
might be sustained to the highway because of the operation of the |
|
equipment for which a permit is issued. |
|
SECTION 24. Sections 623.076(b) and (c), Transportation |
|
Code, are amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) The board [Texas Transportation Commission] may adopt |
|
rules for the payment of a fee under Subsection (a). The rules may: |
|
(1) authorize the use of electronic funds transfer; |
|
(2) authorize the use of a credit card issued by: |
|
(A) a financial institution chartered by a state |
|
or the United States; or |
|
(B) a nationally recognized credit organization |
|
approved by the board [Texas Transportation Commission]; and |
|
(3) require the payment of a discount or service |
|
charge for a credit card payment in addition to the fee prescribed |
|
by Subsection (a). |
|
(c) An application for a permit under Section 623.071(c)(3) |
|
or (d) must be accompanied by the permit fee established by the |
|
board, in consultation with the commission, for the permit, not to |
|
exceed $7,000. Of each fee collected under this subsection, the |
|
department shall send: |
|
(1) the first $1,000 to the comptroller for deposit to |
|
the credit of the general revenue fund; and |
|
(2) any amount in excess of $1,000 to the comptroller |
|
for deposit to the credit of the state highway fund. |
|
SECTION 25. Section 623.078, Transportation Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 623.078. VEHICLE SUPERVISION FEE. (a) Each applicant |
|
for a permit under this subchapter for a vehicle that is heavier |
|
than 200,000 pounds must also pay a vehicle supervision fee in an |
|
amount determined by the Texas Department of Transportation |
|
[department] and designed to recover the direct cost of providing |
|
safe transportation of the vehicle over the state highway system, |
|
including the cost of: |
|
(1) bridge structural analysis; |
|
(2) the monitoring of the trip process; and |
|
(3) moving traffic control devices. |
|
(b) The board [department] shall send each fee collected |
|
under Subsection (a) to the comptroller for deposit to the credit of |
|
the state highway fund. |
|
SECTION 26. Section 623.080(a), Transportation Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a permit under |
|
this subchapter must include: |
|
(1) the name of the applicant; |
|
(2) the date of issuance; |
|
(3) the signature of the director of the department |
|
[or of a division engineer]; |
|
(4) a statement of the kind of equipment to be |
|
transported over the highway, the weight and dimensions of the |
|
equipment, and the kind and weight of each commodity to be |
|
transported; and |
|
(5) a statement of any condition on which the permit is |
|
issued. |
|
SECTION 27. Section 623.093(f), Transportation Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(f) If an application for a permit to move a manufactured |
|
house is accompanied by a copy of a writ of possession issued by a |
|
court of competent jurisdiction, the applicant is not required to |
|
submit the written statement from the chief appraiser [set forth in
|
|
Subsection (d)]. |
|
SECTION 28. Section 623.096(b), Transportation Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) The board, in consultation with the Texas Department of |
|
Transportation, [department] shall adopt rules concerning fees for |
|
each annual permit issued under Section 623.095(c) at a cost not to |
|
exceed $3,000. |
|
SECTION 29. Section 623.099(e), Transportation Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(e) The Texas Department of Transportation [department] |
|
shall publish and annually revise a map or list of the bridges or |
|
overpasses that because of height or width require an escort flag |
|
vehicle to stop oncoming traffic while a manufactured house crosses |
|
the bridge or overpass. |
|
SECTION 30. Sections 623.100(b) and (c), Transportation |
|
Code, are amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) The Texas Department of Transportation [department] may |
|
limit the hours for travel on certain routes because of heavy |
|
traffic conditions. |
|
(c) The Texas Department of Transportation [department] |
|
shall publish the limitation on movements prescribed by this |
|
section and the limitations adopted under Subsection (b) and shall |
|
make the publications available to the public. Each limitation |
|
adopted by the Texas Department of Transportation [department] must |
|
be made available to the public before it takes effect. |
|
SECTION 31. Section 623.126(a), Transportation Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) A permit issued under this subchapter must: |
|
(1) contain the name of the applicant; |
|
(2) be dated and signed by the director of the |
|
department[, a division engineer,] or a designated agent; |
|
(3) state the make and model of the portable building |
|
unit or units to be transported over the highways; |
|
(4) state the make and model of the towing vehicle; |
|
(5) state the combined length and width of the |
|
portable building unit or units and towing vehicle; and |
|
(6) state each highway over which the portable |
|
building unit or units are to be moved. |
|
SECTION 32. Section 623.142(a), Transportation Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) The department may, on application, issue a permit for |
|
the movement over a road or highway under the jurisdiction of the |
|
Texas Department of Transportation [department] of a vehicle that: |
|
(1) is a piece of fixed-load mobile machinery or |
|
equipment used to service, clean out, or drill an oil well; and |
|
(2) cannot comply with the restrictions set out in |
|
Subchapter C of Chapter 621 and Section 621.101. |
|
SECTION 33. Sections 623.145 and 623.146, Transportation |
|
Code, are amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 623.145. RULES; FORMS AND PROCEDURES; FEES. (a) The |
|
board, in consultation with the commission, [Texas Transportation
|
|
Commission] by rule shall provide for the issuance of permits under |
|
this subchapter. The rules must include each matter the board and |
|
commission determine [determines] necessary to implement this |
|
subchapter and: |
|
(1) requirements for forms and procedures used in |
|
applying for a permit; |
|
(2) conditions with regard to route and time of |
|
movement; |
|
(3) requirements for flags, flaggers, and warning |
|
devices; |
|
(4) the fee for a permit; and |
|
(5) standards to determine whether a permit is to be |
|
issued for one trip only or for a period established by the |
|
commission. |
|
(b) In adopting a rule or establishing a fee, the board and |
|
commission shall consider and be guided by: |
|
(1) the state's investment in its highway system; |
|
(2) the safety and convenience of the general |
|
traveling public; |
|
(3) the registration or license fee paid on the |
|
vehicle for which the permit is requested; |
|
(4) the fees paid by vehicles operating within legal |
|
limits; |
|
(5) the suitability of roadways and subgrades on the |
|
various classes of highways of the system; |
|
(6) the variation in soil grade prevalent in the |
|
different regions of the state; |
|
(7) the seasonal effects on highway load capacity; |
|
(8) the highway shoulder design and other highway |
|
geometrics; |
|
(9) the load capacity of the highway bridges; |
|
(10) administrative costs; |
|
(11) added wear on highways; and |
|
(12) compensation for inconvenience and necessary |
|
delays to highway users. |
|
Sec. 623.146. VIOLATION OF RULE. A permit under this |
|
subchapter is void on the failure of an owner or the owner's |
|
representative to comply with a rule of the board [commission] or |
|
with a condition placed on the permit, and immediately on the |
|
violation, further movement over the highway of an oversize or |
|
overweight vehicle violates the law regulating the size or weight |
|
of a vehicle on a public highway. |
|
SECTION 34. Sections 623.163(a) and (b), Transportation |
|
Code, are amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) The owner of a vehicle used exclusively to transport |
|
solid waste with a tandem axle load heavier than 34,000 pounds shall |
|
before operating the vehicle on a public highway of this state file |
|
with the department a surety bond subject to the approval of the |
|
Texas Department of Transportation [department] in the principal |
|
amount set by the Texas Department of Transportation [department] |
|
not to exceed $15,000 for each vehicle. |
|
(b) The bond must be conditioned that the owner of the |
|
vehicle will pay to the Texas Department of Transportation [state] |
|
and to any municipality in which the vehicle is operated on a |
|
municipal street, within the limit of the bond, any damages to a |
|
highway or municipal street caused by the operation of the vehicle. |
|
SECTION 35. Section 623.192(a), Transportation Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) The department may, on application, issue a permit to a |
|
person to move over a road or highway under the jurisdiction of the |
|
Texas Department of Transportation [department] an unladen lift |
|
equipment motor vehicle that cannot comply with the restrictions |
|
set out in Subchapter C of Chapter 621 and Section 621.101. |
|
SECTION 36. Sections 623.195 and 623.196, Transportation |
|
Code, are amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 623.195. RULES; FORMS AND PROCEDURES; FEES. (a) The |
|
board, in consultation with the commission, [Texas Transportation
|
|
Commission] by rule shall provide for the issuance of a permit under |
|
this subchapter. The rules must include each matter the board and |
|
the commission determine [determines] necessary to implement this |
|
subchapter and: |
|
(1) requirements for forms and procedures used in |
|
applying for a permit; |
|
(2) conditions with regard to route and time of |
|
movement; |
|
(3) requirements for flags, flaggers, and warning |
|
devices; |
|
(4) the fee for a permit; and |
|
(5) standards to determine whether a permit is to be |
|
issued for one trip only or for a period established by the |
|
commission. |
|
(b) In adopting a rule or establishing a fee, the board and |
|
the commission shall consider and be guided by: |
|
(1) the state's investment in its highway system; |
|
(2) the safety and convenience of the general |
|
traveling public; |
|
(3) the registration or license fee paid on the |
|
vehicle for which the permit is requested; |
|
(4) the fees paid by vehicles operating within legal |
|
limits; |
|
(5) the suitability of roadways and subgrades on the |
|
various classes of highways of the system; |
|
(6) the variation in soil grade prevalent in the |
|
different regions of the state; |
|
(7) the seasonal effects on highway load capacity; |
|
(8) the highway shoulder design and other highway |
|
geometrics; |
|
(9) the load capacity of highway bridges; |
|
(10) administrative costs; |
|
(11) added wear on highways; and |
|
(12) compensation for inconvenience and necessary |
|
delays to highway users. |
|
Sec. 623.196. VIOLATION OF RULE. A permit under this |
|
subchapter is void on the failure of an owner or the owner's |
|
representative to comply with a rule of the board [commission] or |
|
with a condition placed on the permit, and immediately on the |
|
violation, further movement over a highway of an oversize or |
|
overweight vehicle violates the law regulating the size or weight |
|
of a vehicle on a public highway. |
|
SECTION 37. Section 623.212, Transportation Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 623.212. PERMITS BY PORT AUTHORITY. The commission |
|
[department] may authorize a port authority to issue permits for |
|
the movement of oversize or overweight vehicles carrying cargo on |
|
state highways located in counties contiguous to the Gulf of Mexico |
|
or a bay or inlet opening into the gulf and bordering the United |
|
Mexican States. |
|
SECTION 38. Section 623.215(b), Transportation Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) A port authority shall report to the Texas Department of |
|
Transportation [department] all permits issued under this |
|
subchapter. |
|
SECTION 39. Section 623.233, Transportation Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 623.233. MAINTENANCE CONTRACTS. The district shall |
|
make payments to the Texas Department of Transportation |
|
[department] to provide funds for the maintenance of state highways |
|
subject to this subchapter. |
|
SECTION 40. Section 623.235(b), Transportation Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) The district shall report to the Texas Department of |
|
Transportation [department] all permits issued under this |
|
subchapter. |
|
SECTION 41. Section 623.253, Transportation Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 623.253. MAINTENANCE CONTRACTS. The county shall make |
|
payments to the Texas Department of Transportation [department] to |
|
provide funds for the maintenance of state highways subject to this |
|
subchapter. |
|
SECTION 42. Section 623.304, Transportation Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 623.304. MAINTENANCE CONTRACTS. The port authority |
|
shall make payments to the Texas Department of Transportation |
|
[department] to provide funds for the maintenance of state highways |
|
subject to this subchapter. |
|
SECTION 43. Section 547.304(c), Transportation Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(c) Except for Sections 547.323 and 547.324, a provision of |
|
this chapter that requires a vehicle to be equipped with lamps, |
|
reflectors, and lighting equipment does not apply to a mobile home |
|
if the mobile home: |
|
(1) is moved under a permit issued by the Texas |
|
Department of Motor Vehicles [Transportation] under Subchapter D, |
|
Chapter 623; and |
|
(2) is not moved at a time or under a condition |
|
specified by Section 547.302(a). |
|
SECTION 44. Section 1001.002(b), Transportation Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) In addition to the other duties required of the Texas |
|
Department of Motor Vehicles, the department shall administer and |
|
enforce: |
|
(1) Subtitle A; |
|
(2) Chapters 621, 622, 623, 642, 643, 645, 646, and |
|
648; and |
|
(3) Chapters 2301 and 2302, Occupations Code. |
|
SECTION 45. Sections 1201.161(a), (b), and (c), Occupations |
|
Code, are amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) Notwithstanding any other statute or rule or ordinance, |
|
a licensed retailer or licensed installer is not required to obtain |
|
a permit, certificate, or license or pay a fee to transport |
|
manufactured housing to the place of installation except as |
|
required by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles [Transportation] |
|
under Subchapter E, Chapter 623, Transportation Code. |
|
(b) The department shall cooperate with the Texas |
|
Department of Motor Vehicles [Transportation] by providing current |
|
lists of licensed manufacturers, retailers, and installers. |
|
(c) The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles [Transportation] |
|
shall send the department monthly: |
|
(1) a copy of each permit issued in the preceding month |
|
for the movement of manufactured housing on the highways; or |
|
(2) a list of the permits issued in the preceding month |
|
and the information on the permits. |
|
SECTION 46. (a) Except as otherwise provided by this Act, |
|
not later than January 1, 2012, the following are transferred from |
|
the Texas Department of Transportation to the Texas Department of |
|
Motor Vehicles: |
|
(1) the powers, duties, functions, programs, |
|
activities, and rights of action of the Texas Department of |
|
Transportation relating to oversize and overweight vehicles under |
|
Chapters 621, 622, and 623, Transportation Code; |
|
(2) any obligations, funds, negotiations, grants, |
|
memoranda of understanding, leases, rights, and contracts of the |
|
Texas Department of Transportation that are directly related to |
|
implementing a power, duty, function, program, activity, or right |
|
of action transferred under this subsection; and |
|
(3) all personnel, furniture, computers, equipment, |
|
other property, records, and related materials in the custody of |
|
the Texas Department of Transportation that are related to a power, |
|
duty, function, program, activity, or right of action transferred |
|
under this subsection and all funds appropriated by the legislature |
|
for that power, duty, function, program, activity, or right of |
|
action. |
|
(b) The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles shall continue |
|
any case or proceeding relating to oversize and overweight vehicles |
|
under Chapters 621, 622, and 623, Transportation Code, that was |
|
brought before the effective date of this Act in accordance with the |
|
law in effect on the date the case or proceeding was brought, and |
|
the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
|
(c) A certificate, license, document, permit, registration, |
|
or other authorization issued by the Texas Department of |
|
Transportation relating to oversize and overweight vehicles under |
|
Chapters 621, 622, and 623, Transportation Code, that is in effect |
|
on the effective date of this Act remains valid for the period for |
|
which it was issued unless suspended or revoked by the Texas |
|
Department of Motor Vehicles. |
|
(d) The unobligated and unexpended balance of any |
|
appropriations made to the Texas Department of Transportation in |
|
connection with or relating to oversize and overweight vehicles |
|
under Chapter 621, 622, or 623, Transportation Code, for the state |
|
fiscal biennium ending August 31, 2011, is transferred and |
|
reappropriated to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles for the |
|
purpose of implementing the powers, duties, obligations, and rights |
|
of action transferred to that department. |
|
(e) The Texas Department of Transportation shall continue, |
|
as necessary, to perform the duties and functions that are being |
|
transferred to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles under this |
|
Act until the transfer of agency duties and functions is complete. |
|
(f) A rule or form adopted by the Texas Department of |
|
Transportation that relates to a power, duty, function, program, |
|
activity, or right of action transferred under Subsection (a) of |
|
this section is a rule or form of the Texas Department of Motor |
|
Vehicles and remains in effect until altered by the Texas |
|
Department of Motor Vehicles. |
|
(g) A reference in law to the Texas Department of |
|
Transportation that relates to a power, duty, function, program, |
|
activity, or right of action transferred under Subsection (a) of |
|
this section means the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. |
|
SECTION 47. (a) The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles may |
|
enter into a memorandum of understanding with a state agency, |
|
including the Texas Department of Transportation, if the board of |
|
the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles determines the memorandum is |
|
necessary or appropriate to implement the changes made by this Act |
|
to Chapters 621, 622, and 623, Transportation Code. |
|
(b) The memorandum of understanding described by Subsection |
|
(a) of this section may: |
|
(1) coordinate the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles' |
|
and the Texas Department of Transportation's information systems to |
|
allow for the sharing of information so each department may |
|
effectively and efficiently perform the functions and duties |
|
assigned to the department; |
|
(2) provide for implementing the memorandum using |
|
existing personnel and resources from the Texas Department of Motor |
|
Vehicles and the Texas Department of Transportation; |
|
(3) allow for the sharing of otherwise confidential |
|
information subject to the same confidentiality requirements and |
|
legal restrictions on access to the information that are imposed by |
|
law on the agency that originally obtained or collected the |
|
information; |
|
(4) allow for the sharing of information without the |
|
consent of the person who is the subject of the information; and |
|
(5) include an agreement for: |
|
(A) the provision of office space, utilities, and |
|
other facility services; |
|
(B) the need for full-time equivalent positions |
|
of the Texas Department of Transportation to provide support |
|
services in addition to the positions transferred to the Texas |
|
Department of Motor Vehicles under Section 46(a)(3) of this Act; |
|
(C) support services; and |
|
(D) the transfer of information technology as |
|
necessary or appropriate to effectuate the transfer of the powers |
|
and duties of the Texas Department of Transportation to the Texas |
|
Department of Motor Vehicles. |
|
(c) The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and the Texas |
|
Department of Transportation may not impose, collect, or charge a |
|
fee in connection with the sharing of information under a |
|
memorandum of understanding entered into or revised under this |
|
section. |
|
SECTION 48. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |