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