85R5816 JRR-D     By: Burns H.B. No. 3807       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the operation of vehicles transporting agricultural   products; authorizing a fee.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 623, Transportation Code,   is amended by adding Section 623.0172 to read as follows:          Sec. 623.0172.  PERMIT FOR VEHICLES TRANSPORTING   AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS. (a) The department shall issue a permit   that authorizes the operation of a vehicle or combination of   vehicles at a gross weight that is not heavier than 90,000 pounds   if:                (1)  the vehicle or combination of vehicles is being   used to transport agricultural products that are in their natural   state; and                (2)  the agricultural products are being transported   from the place of production to the place of first marketing or   first processing.          (b)  To qualify for a permit under this section, a permit fee   of $25 must be paid.          (c)  A permit issued under this section:                (1)  is valid only for the specific agricultural   products authorized to be transported under the permit and only   during the harvest season of those products, as determined by the   department by rule; and                (2)  must be carried in the vehicle for which it is   issued.          (d)  The department by rule shall determine the harvest   season of each agricultural product authorized to be transported   under permits issued under this section.          (e)  A vehicle issued a permit under this section may operate   on a state or county road if the vehicle does not exceed the maximum   gross weight authorized under Subsection (a).          (f)  This section does not authorize the operation on the   national system of interstate and defense highways in this state of   a vehicle of a size or weight greater than those permitted under 23   U.S.C. Section 127.          (g)  If the United States authorizes the operation on the   national system of interstate and defense highways of a vehicle of a   size or weight greater than those permitted under 23 U.S.C. Section   127 on September 1, 2017, the new limit automatically takes effect   on the national system of interstate and defense highways in this   state.          (h)  The department may adopt rules necessary to implement   this section, including rules governing the application for a   permit under this section.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.