S.B. No. 493
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the idling of motor vehicles.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 382, Health and Safety
  Code, is amended by adding Section 382.0191 to read as follows:
         Sec. 382.0191.  IDLING OF MOTOR VEHICLE.  (a)  In this
  section, "idling" means allowing an engine to run while the motor
  vehicle is not engaged in forward or reverse motion.
         (b)  The commission may not prohibit or limit the idling of
  any motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating greater than
  8,500 pounds that is equipped with a 2008 or subsequent model year
  heavy-duty diesel engine or liquefied or compressed natural gas
  engine that has been certified by the United States Environmental
  Protection Agency or another state environmental agency to emit no
  more than 30 grams of nitrogen oxides emissions per hour when
  idling.
         SECTION 2.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 622, Transportation Code,
  is amended by adding Section 622.955 to read as follows:
         Sec. 622.955.  INCREASE OF MAXIMUM WEIGHT FOR VEHICLES WITH
  IDLE REDUCTION SYSTEMS. (a)  For purposes of this section, "idle
  reduction system" means a system that provides heating, cooling, or
  electrical service to a commercial vehicle's sleeper berth for the
  purpose of reducing the idling of a motor vehicle.
         (b)  Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, the
  maximum gross vehicle weight limit and axle weight limit for any
  vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with an idle reduction
  system shall be increased by an amount necessary to compensate for
  the additional weight of the idle reduction system.
         (c)  The weight increase under Subsection (b) may not be
  greater than 400 pounds.
         (d)  On request by an appropriate law enforcement officer or
  an official of an appropriate regulatory agency, the vehicle
  operator shall provide proof that:
               (1)  the idle reduction technology is fully functional
  at all times; and
               (2)  the weight increase is not used for any purpose
  other than the use of an idle reduction system.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2011.
 
 
 
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 493 passed the Senate on
  March 22, 2011, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
 
         I hereby certify that S.B. No. 493 passed the House on
  May 19, 2011, by the following vote:  Yeas 147, Nays 1, one
  present not voting.
 
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
 
  Approved:
 
  ______________________________ 
              Date
 
 
  ______________________________ 
            Governor