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                                                                  H.B. No. 1531




AN ACT

relating to telematics services excepted from private security 
regulation.  
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter N, Chapter 1702, Occupations Code, is 
amended by adding Section 1702.331 to read as follows:
	Sec. 1702.331.  TELEMATICS SERVICE PROVIDERS. (a) In this 
section, "telematics service" means:
		(1)  a service that:                                                   
			(A)  is provided to owners, operators, and 
occupants of consumer vehicles or commercial fleet vehicles through 
the remote access of in-vehicle data that may rely on global 
positioning system satellite data to fix the exact location of the 
vehicle, including:
				(i)  location-specific emergency and 
roadside vehicle breakdown assistance;
				(ii)  automatic collision notification;                              
				(iii)  real-time traffic and navigation 
information;               
				(iv)  remote vehicle diagnostics; and                                
				(v)  stolen vehicle recovery;                                        
			(B)  is enabled through the two-way communication 
of voice or data, often with an interactive voice response 
technology interface, between a service subscriber's vehicle and a 
telematics company's response center; and
			(C)  is provided to:                                                  
				(i)  enhance vehicle service, safety, and 
convenience while driving for vehicle owners;
				(ii)  enable automakers and automobile 
dealerships to achieve greater service and customer management 
efficiencies and to increase customer retention; and
				(iii)  enable fleet operators to remotely 
manage their vehicles and other mobile assets; and
		(2)  a related service provided to consumers, 
automakers, automobile dealerships, and commercial fleet operators 
by a telematics company as part of the emerging technology industry 
that delivers telematics services on a national basis to service 
subscribers.
	(b)  Except as otherwise provided by this section, this 
chapter does not apply to a person who provides a telematics service 
in this state.
	(c)  To qualify for the exemption provided by Subsection (b), 
a telematics service provider shall:
		(1)  establish business practices and procedures that 
are at least as stringent as the guidelines established by the 
Association of Public Safety Communications Officials 
International regarding the communication of information from 
telematics service providers to public safety agencies; and
		(2)  pay an annual fee of $2,500 to the department.                    
	(d)  The department may adopt rules necessary to carry out 
the purposes of this section, including rules to determine whether 
a telematics service provider is complying with Subsection (c).
	SECTION 2.  (a)  Not later than January 1, 2006, the 
Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas shall adopt the 
rules necessary to implement Section 1702.331, Occupations Code, as 
added by this Act.
	(b)  A telematics service provider is not required to comply 
with Section 1702.331, Occupations Code, before January 1, 2006.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.                           




______________________________              ______________________________
 
   President of the Senate                               Speaker of the House      

	I certify that H.B. No. 1531 was passed by the House on April 
22, 2005, by a non-record vote.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Chief Clerk of the House   

	I certify that H.B. No. 1531 was passed by the Senate on May 
12, 2005, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

                                                  ______________________________
                                                     Secretary of the Senate    



APPROVED:  _____________________                                            
 
                   Date                                                      




 
          _____________________                                          
 
                 Governor