5/17/05-A bill that would have authorized the state highway department to increase the weight on some cargo shipping containers by 10,000 pounds has died.
HB1882, sponsored by Rep. Peggy Hamric, R-Houston, was awaiting referral to the full House for consideration at the May 13 deadline for bills to move from the chamber, effectively killing it for the year.
The bill sought to require the Texas Transportation Commission to establish, by rule, procedures to issue annual permits and single-trip permits for transporting 90,000-pound cargo shipping containers over a state highway if the containers are used to pack, ship, move, or transport plastic pellets or paper.
It also tied the movement of the containers to 75 miles from the point of loading to a container port or intermodal rail yard in the state, as well as allow counties to designate the route these vehicles would be allowed to travel.
According to the Texas Legislature’s Web site, TxDOT estimates 70 of these permits would have been issued annually for tri-axle trucks to transport the loads, which would have generated about $140,000 in revenue to the state Highway Fund.

4/21/05-The House Transportation Committee has approved a bill that would authorize the state highway department to increase the weight on some sealed ocean containers by 10,000 pounds.
The bill has been forwarded to the Calendars Committee, where it must clear before moving on to the full House.
HB1882, sponsored by Rep. Peggy Hamric, R-Houston, would require the Texas Transportation Commission to establish, by rule, procedures to issue annual permits and single-trip permits for transporting 90,000-pound sealed ocean containers over a state highway if the containers are used to pack, ship, move, or transport plastic pellets or paper.
The bill also would tie the movement of the containers to 75 miles from the point of loading to a container port or intermodal rail yard in the state, as well as allow counties to designate the route these vehicles would be allowed to travel.
According to the Texas Legislature’s Web site, TxDOT estimates 70 of these permits would be issued annually for tri-axle trucks to transport the loads, which would generate about $140,000 in revenue to the state Highway Fund.
For bill status, call (512) 463-2182. In Texas, call 1-877-824-7038.