TX SB497

Allows motor vehicles to operate on public highways using dyed motor fuel (normally restricted to off-road use) during declared disasters caused by fire, flood, earthquake, tornado, hurricane, storm, or energy emergency, and for 30 days after the declaration ends

Creates a new special permit system for oversize or overweight vehicles transporting agricultural commodities during federal emergencies, state disasters, or preceding events that may result in disaster declarations when authorized by the Texas Division of Emergency Management

Defines "agricultural commodity" broadly to include crops, livestock, poultry, honey, planting seed, rice, and processed products including woodchips

Permits issued during or after disaster declarations expire 120 days after the declaration date; permits issued before anticipated disasters expire 120 days after the department receives authorization from the Division of Emergency Management

Maintains compliance with federal highway size and weight limits on interstate and defense highways, but automatically adopts any future federal increases to those limits

Takes effect September 1, 2025