BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 3023

By: Lopez, Janie

Transportation

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

State law allows vehicles powered primarily by natural gas to exceed the prescribed vehicle weight limitations. This exemption subtracts the weight of the natural gas fuel and treats the vehicle as a standard diesel to determine the maximum weight. However, this exemption only applies to vehicles using natural gas and not those that use liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). LPG systems allow trucking companies to travel greater distances and save a considerable amount of money in comparison to regular diesel-fueled vehicles. LPG systems can be quite heavy and companies prefer to transport more cargo instead of incorporating LPG systems that must adhere to the weight limitations. C.S.H.B. 3023 seeks to give trucking companies an incentive to incorporate LPG systems in their vehicles without sacrificing cargo space by treating LPG vehicles in the same way as natural-gas fueled vehicles with respect to weight limitations.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 3023 amends the Transportation Code to authorize a vehicle or combination of vehicles that is powered by an engine fueled primarily or secondarily by liquefied petroleum gas or secondarily by natural gas to exceed statutory vehicle weight limitations by an amount that is equal to the difference between the weight of the vehicle attributable to the natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas tank and fueling system carried by that vehicle and the weight of a comparable diesel tank and fueling system. However, the maximum gross weight of such a vehicle or combination of vehicles may not exceed a certain weight. The bill changes from 82,000 pounds to 81,000 pounds the maximum gross weight of the vehicle or combinations of vehicles authorized to exceed statutory weight limitations.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.

COMPARISON OF INTRODUCED AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 3023 may differ from the introduced in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following summarizes the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

The substitute includes a provision absent from the introduced including a vehicle that is fueled secondarily by natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas among the vehicles authorized to exceed statutory weight limitations. The substitute includes a provision absent from the introduced changing from 82,000 pounds to 81,000 pounds the maximum gross weight of such a vehicle or combination of vehicles.