The bill amends the Transportation Code to streamline the approval process for surety bonds related to contracts that authorize oversize or overweight vehicles to cross roads or highways. Specifically, it updates Section 623.051(d) and Section 623.052(b) to require that the surety bond be approved solely by the Texas Department of Transportation, removing the previous requirement for approval by the comptroller and the attorney general. This change aims to simplify the process and ensure that the bond is conditioned on the person fulfilling their contractual obligations.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that the surety bond must be executed with a corporate surety authorized to operate in Texas and must adequately compensate for maintenance and repair costs associated with the vehicle's crossing. The provisions of this Act will apply only to surety bond approvals occurring on or after its effective date, which will be immediate if it receives a two-thirds vote from both houses of the legislature; otherwise, it will take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Transportation Code 623.051, Transportation Code 623.052 (Transportation Code 623)
House Committee Report: Transportation Code 623.051, Transportation Code 623.052 (Transportation Code 623)