89R44 JRR-F     By: Guillen H.B. No. 597       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the issuance of an excess gross weight permit for   certain farm tractors on county, farm-to-market, and   ranch-to-market roads; 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 623.0173 to read as follows:          Sec. 623.0173.  EXCESS GROSS WEIGHT PERMIT FOR CERTAIN FARM   TRACTORS. (a) In this section:                (1)  "Accessory" means any additional attachment being   pulled or carried by a farm tractor that contributes to the farm   tractor's gross weight.                (2)  "Farm tractor" has the meaning assigned by Section   541.201.          (b)  The department shall issue an annual permit that   authorizes the operation of a farm tractor, including any   accessories that are used for agricultural production, on county,   farm-to-market, and ranch-to-market roads at a gross weight that is   not heavier than the weight equal to the maximum allowable gross   weight for the tractor plus a tolerance allowance of 10 percent.          (c)  To qualify for a permit under this section:                (1)  the farm tractor must be registered as a farm   vehicle under Chapter 502; and                (2)  the applicant must:                      (A)  designate in the permit application each   county in which the farm tractor will be operated; and                      (B)  pay an annual permit fee of $90.          (d)  A permit issued under this section must be carried in   the farm tractor for which it is issued.          (e)  A permit issued under this section does not authorize   the operation of a farm tractor on a bridge for which a maximum   weight and load limit has been established and posted by the Texas   Department of Transportation under Section 621.102 or the   commissioners court of a county under Section 621.301, if the gross   weight of the farm tractor and load or the axles and wheel loads are   greater than the limits established and posted under those   sections.          (f)  Unless otherwise provided by state or federal law, a   county may not require a permit, fee, or license for the operation   of a farm tractor in addition to a permit, fee, or license required   by state law.          (g)  The fee collected for a permit under this section shall   be divided equally among and distributed to the counties designated   in the permit application for deposit to the credit of the county   road and bridge fund of those counties.           (h)  The department may adopt rules necessary to administer   this section, including rules governing the application for a   permit under this section.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.