Highlights 77th Texas Legislature - Senate

________________________ TRANSPORTATION
77 th Texas Legislature
Provides that a permit issued for excess axle or gross weight does not authorize the operation of a vehicle
on an interstate highway if the weight exceeds the weight authorized by federal law or a bridge for which a
maximum weight and load limit has been established at a weight lower than the weight of the vehicle.
Makes an exception if the bridge provides the only vehicular access to a destination for a vehicle operating
with an overweight permit.
Requires TxDOT to develop and maintain a database on roadside vehicle inspection reports for defects on
any intermodal equipment.
Adds sheriffs and deputy sheriffs of a county bordering Mexico or a county with a population of 2.2 million
or more to the list of officers who may be trained to enforce weight limits. Prohibits an officer who has not
received certain training from enforcing traffic safety and highway laws.
Authorizes a county, in each fiscal year, to retain fines from overweight vehicle enforcement in an amount
not to exceed 110 percent of the county’s expenses for enforcement in the preceding fiscal year. Requires
the comptroller to deposit any remaining funds to the credit of TxDOT.
Authorizes a sheriff or deputy sheriff who is certified to enforce weight limitations to detain on a highway or
port-of-entry a commercial motor vehicle.
Expanding Toll Facilities - S.B. 342
by Senators Shapiro and Shapleigh
House Sponsor: Representative Alexander
Under current law, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is authorized to expend money from
any source available for the cost of turnpikes, toll roads, or toll bridges of the Texas Turnpike Authority
provided that money expended out of the state highway fund is repaid from tolls or other turnpike revenue.
TxDOT and the Texas Transportation Commission (commission) are also authorized to participate in the
cost, construction, maintenance, and operation of toll facilities of various entities provided that funds
expended are repaid. TxDOT is precluded from advancing funds for turnpike project development without
an obligation of repayment. Entities that construct toll facilities seek federal and state highway funds to
leverage their own funds and complete financing for high-cost facilities, but repayment obligations may
make construction infeasible.
Removes the requirement for repayment from public entities and authorizes TxDOT to expend funds for the
cost of toll projects of public and private entities.
Authorizes TxDOT to participate, by spending money from any available source, in the cost of a public or
private toll facility.
Authorizes the commission to require the repayment of any money spent by TxDOT for the cost of a public
toll facility and requires the commission to require the repayment of any money spent by TxDOT for the
cost of private toll facility. Provides that money granted by TxDOT each year for such toll projects may not
exceed 30 percent of the obligation authority under the federal-aid highway program that the state receives
each year. Requires any project that uses money from constitutionally dedicated funds to be let by a
competitive bidding procedure.
Senate Research Center 303