The board may let the department issue certain motor-carrier permits for grouped loads, but it cannot allow size/weight violations or dismantlable equipment transport.
Sec. 623.0711. PERMITS AUTHORIZED BY BOARD. (a) The board by rule 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 between the same general locations. (b) The board may not authorize the issuance of a permit that would allow a vehicle to: (1) violate federal regulations on size and weight requirements; or (2) transport equipment that could reasonably be dismantled for transportation as separate loads. (c) The board rules must require that, before the department issues a permit under this section, the department: (1) determine that the state will benefit from the consolidated permitting process; and (2) complete a route and engineering study that considers: (A) the estimated number of loads to be transported by the motor carrier under the permit; (B) the size and weight of the commodity; (C) available routes that can accommodate the size and weight of the vehicle and load to be transported; (D) the potential roadway damage caused by repeated use of the road by the permitted vehicle; (E) any disruption caused by the movement of the permitted vehicle; and (F) the safety of the traveling public. (d) The board rules may authorize the department to 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. (e) A permit issued under this section may provide multiple routes to minimize damage to the roadways. (f) Repealed by Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 410 (S.B. 1814), Sec. 11(1), eff. September 1, 2021. (g) An application for a permit under this section must be accompanied by the permit fee established by the department, in consultation with the commission, for the permit, not to exceed $9,000. The department shall send each fee to the comptroller, who shall deposit: (1) 90 percent of the fee to the credit of the state highway fund; and (2) 10 percent of the fee to the credit of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles fund. (h) In addition to the fee established under Subsection (g), the board rules must authorize the department to collect a consolidated permit payment for a permit under this section in an amount not to exceed 15 percent of the fee established under Subsection (g), of which: (1) 90 percent shall be deposited to the credit of the state highway fund; and (2) 10 percent shall be deposited to the credit of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles fund. (i) The executive director of the department 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) A violation of a permit issued under this section is subject to the administrative sanctions of Subchapter N. (k) Repealed by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1135, Sec. 140(2), eff. September 1, 2013. Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 941 (H.B. 422), Sec. 2, eff. June 17, 2011. Amended by: Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1135 (H.B. 2741), Sec. 112, eff. September 1, 2013. Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1135 (H.B. 2741), Sec. 113, eff. September 1, 2013. Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1135 (H.B. 2741), Sec. 140(2), eff. September 1, 2013. Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1287 (H.B. 2202), Sec. 53, eff. September 1, 2013. Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 410 (S.B. 1814), Sec. 7, eff. September 1, 2021. Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 410 (S.B. 1814), Sec. 11(1), eff. September 1, 2021.