HBA-MPA H.B. 3061 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3061 By: Hill Transportation 44/4/4/18/1999 Committee Report (Amended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE H.B. 3061 attempts to streamline the issuance of various permits authorizing the operation of oversize and overweight vehicles and loads by: exempting governmental entities from payment of fees for all size and weight permits; removing the requirement for a windshield sticker for weight tolerance permits; and removing the requirement that applications for certain permits be dated and signed by the applicant. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter E, Chapter 621, Transportation Code, by adding Section 621.357, to prohibit the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) from charging a governmental entity a fee for a permit that authorizes the operation of a vehicle and its load or a combination of vehicles and loads exceeding size or weight limitations. SECTION 2. Amends Section 623.011, Transportation Code, to delete the requirement for TxDOT to design and issue a sticker to be placed on the front windshield of the vehicle, and the provision that a person commits a Class C misdemeanor for failing to display such a sticker. Makes a nonsubstantive change. SECTION 3. Amends Section 623.0112, Transportation Code, to make conforming and nonsubstantive changes. SECTION 4. Amends Section 623.074(b) and (d), Transportation Code, to delete the requirement that an application for a permit to operate superheavy and oversized equipment on a state highway be signed and dated by the applicant. Deletes provision requiring a digital signature to be considered valid on an electronically submitted application, and defining "digital signature. SECTION 5. Amends Section 623.123, Transportation Code, to delete the requirement that an application for a permit to move portable building units on a state highway be signed and dated by the applicant. Makes a nonsubstantive change. SECTION 6.Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage. EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS Amendment #1 Amends Subchapter Z, Chapter 622, Transportation Code, by adding Section 622.954, as follows: Sec. 622.954. TOW TRUCKS. Provides that a permit is not required to exceed the weight limitations of Section 621.101 (Maximum Weight of Load), Transportation Code, by a combination of a tow truck and another vehicle or vehicle combination if: (1) the other vehicle or vehicle combination cannot be normally or safely driven or was abandoned on the highway; and (2) the tow truck is towing the other vehicle or vehicle combination directly to the nearest authorized place of repair, terminal, or destination of unloading. The section of the bill in which this text is to be inserted is not specified by the amendment.