| Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
Under current law, the state issues annual permits for commercial vehicles carrying loads up to 84,000 pounds. Anything above this threshold is likely subject to a shorter term permit for 30-90 days for oversize/overweight loads.
Senate Bill 1524 amends current Transportation Code by adding a subchapter that would authorize permits for intermodal shipping containers weighing up to 100,000 pounds based on the number of axles and stability features on the truck. The Texas Department of Transportation may approve the purchase of an annual permit for containers traveling within 30 miles of a port of entry or an international bridge to carry cargo so long as it is sealed with a United States customs seal. The annual permit would allow the state to compete with surrounding states in the import and export of intermodal commodities.
Because of the way the current permitting system works, the intermodal shipping industry has been incurring steeper permitting fees than traditional over-the-road tractor trailer combinations. This bill would make some procedural changes that adjust the weight requirements for these intermodal shipping containers require. As such, we remain neutral on this bill.