SB 2199

relating to increasing the criminal penalty for loading certain
overweight vehicles transporting hazardous materials at a weight
that exceeds the weight limitations authorized for the vehicle.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1.  Section 621.506, Transportation Code, is amended
by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (b-4) to read as
(b)  Except as provided by Subsections (b-1), (b-2), [and]
(b-3), and (b-4), an offense under this section is a misdemeanor
(1)  by a fine of not less than $100 and not more than
(2)  on conviction of an offense involving a vehicle
having a single axle weight or tandem axle weight that is heavier
than the vehicle's allowable weight, by a fine according to the
Pounds Overweight
                     Fine Range
less than 2,500
                     $100 to $500
2,500-5,000
                     $500 to $1,000
more than 5,000
                     $1,000 to $2,500; or
(3)  on conviction of an offense involving a vehicle
having a gross weight that is heavier than the vehicle's allowable
weight, by a fine according to the following schedule:
Pounds Overweight
                     Fine Range
less than 2,500
                     $100 to $500
2,500-5,000
                     $500 to $1,000
5,001-10,000
                     $1,000 to $2,500
10,001-20,000
                     $2,500 to $5,000
20,001-40,000
                     $5,000 to $7,000
more than 40,000
                     $7,000 to $10,000.
(b-4)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this section,
an offense under Subsection (a)(2) is a felony of the second degree
if the offense involves a vehicle transporting fuel or other
hazardous materials in a cargo tank, as defined by Section 162.001,
Tax Code, that was loaded at a weight that exceeds the weight
limitations authorized for the vehicle.
SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only
to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act.
An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is
governed by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed,
and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.  For
purposes of this section, an offense was committed before the
effective date of this Act if any element of the offense occurred
SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.