H.B. No. 3297
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the elimination of regular mandatory vehicle safety
  inspections for noncommercial vehicles and the imposition of
  replacement fees.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 382.0622(a), Health and Safety Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  Clean Air Act fees consist of:
               (1)  fees collected by the commission under Sections
  382.062, 382.0621, 382.202, and 382.302 and as otherwise provided
  by law;
               (2)  each amount described by Sections 548.510(d)(3)
  and (e)(3) [$2 from the portion of each fee collected for
  inspections of vehicles other than mopeds and remitted to the state
  under Sections 548.501 and 548.503], Transportation Code; and
               (3)  fees collected that are required under Section 185
  of the federal Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. Section 7511d).
         SECTION 2.  Section 382.202, Health and Safety Code, is
  amended by amending Subsection (d) and adding Subsection (e-1) to
  read as follows:
         (d)  On adoption of a resolution by the commission and after
  proper notice, the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas
  shall implement a system that requires, [as a condition of
  obtaining a passing vehicle inspection report issued under
  Subchapter C, Chapter 548, Transportation Code,] in a county that
  is included in a vehicle emissions inspection and maintenance
  program under Subchapter F, Chapter 548, Transportation Code [of
  that chapter], that a motor vehicle registered in this state [the
  vehicle], unless the vehicle is not covered by the system, be
  annually or biennially inspected under the vehicle emissions
  inspection and maintenance program as required by the state's air
  quality state implementation plan. The Department of Public Safety
  shall implement such a system when it is required by any provision
  of federal or state law, including any provision of the state's air
  quality state implementation plan.
         (e-1)  The portion of a fee imposed under Subsection (e) that
  is not authorized to be retained by an inspection station must be
  collected as provided by Section 548.509, Transportation Code.
         SECTION 3.  Section 382.203(c), Health and Safety Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (c)  The Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas by
  rule may waive program requirements, in accordance with standards
  adopted by the commission, for certain vehicles and vehicle owners,
  including:
               (1)  the registered owner of a vehicle who cannot
  afford to comply with the program, based on reasonable income
  standards;
               (2)  a vehicle that cannot be brought into compliance
  with emissions standards by performing repairs;
               (3)  a vehicle:
                     (A)  on which at least $100 has been spent to bring
  the vehicle into compliance; and
                     (B)  that the department[:
                           [(i)]  can verify is driven an average of
  less than 5,000 miles each year [was driven fewer than 5,000 miles
  since the last safety inspection; and
                           [(ii)  reasonably determines will be driven
  fewer than 5,000 miles during the period before the next safety
  inspection is required]; and
               (4)  a vehicle for which parts are not readily
  available.
         SECTION 4.  Section 502.0024, Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 502.0024.  EXTENDED REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN TRAILERS
  [VEHICLES NOT SUBJECT TO INSPECTION].  (a)  Notwithstanding Section
  502.044(c), the department shall develop and implement a system of
  registration to allow an owner of a trailer, semitrailer, or pole
  trailer having an actual gross weight or registered gross weight of
  7,500 pounds or less [vehicle described by Section 548.052(3) other
  than a mobile home] to register the vehicle for an extended
  registration period of not more than five years. The owner may
  select the number of years for registration under this section
  within that range and register the vehicle for that period. Payment
  for all applicable fees, including any optional fee imposed under
  Subchapter H and other registration fees and the fee required by
  Section 548.510, for the entire registration period selected is due
  at the time of registration.
         (b)  The fee required by Section 548.510 shall be remitted to
  the comptroller for deposit in the Texas mobility fund, the general
  revenue fund, and the clean air account in amounts proportionate to
  the allocation prescribed by Subsection (d) [(b)] of that section.
         (c)  The fees imposed under Subchapter H shall be collected
  and remitted as prescribed by that subchapter.
         SECTION 5.  Sections 502.0025(d) and (e), Transportation
  Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (d)  A motor vehicle, semitrailer, or trailer registered
  under this section is subject to any applicable [the] inspection
  requirements of Chapter 548 as if the vehicle, semitrailer, or
  trailer were registered without an extended registration period.
         (e)  The department shall adopt rules to implement this
  section, including rules:
               (1)  regarding the suspension of an exempt county
  fleet's registration under this section if the owner of the exempt
  county fleet fails to comply with this section or rules adopted
  under this section; and
               (2)  establishing a method to enforce applicable [the]
  inspection requirements of Chapter 548 for motor vehicles,
  semitrailers, and trailers registered under this section.
         SECTION 6.  Section 502.047(a), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  Except as provided by Chapter 548, the department and
  the Department of Public Safety shall ensure compliance with [the]
  motor vehicle inspection requirements under Chapter 548[,
  including compliance with the motor vehicle emissions inspection
  and maintenance program under Subchapter F of that chapter,]
  through a vehicle registration-based enforcement system.
         SECTION 7.  Section 502.092(c), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (c)  A person may obtain a permit under this section by:
               (1)  applying to the department in a manner prescribed
  by the department;
               (2)  paying a fee equal to 1/12 the registration fee
  prescribed by this chapter for the vehicle;
               (3)  furnishing satisfactory evidence that the motor
  vehicle is insured under an insurance policy that complies with
  Section 601.072 and that is written by:
                     (A)  an insurance company or surety company
  authorized to write motor vehicle liability insurance in this
  state; or
                     (B)  with the department's approval, a surplus
  lines insurer that meets the requirements of Chapter 981, Insurance
  Code, and rules adopted by the commissioner of insurance under that
  chapter, if the applicant is unable to obtain insurance from an
  insurer described by Paragraph (A); and
               (4)  furnishing evidence that the vehicle has been
  inspected if [as] required under Chapter 548.
         SECTION 8.  Section 502.094(e), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (e)  A vehicle issued a permit under this section is subject
  to [Subchapters B and F,] Chapter 548, unless the vehicle:
               (1)  is registered in another state of the United
  States, in a province of Canada, or in a state of the United Mexican
  States; or
               (2)  is mobile drilling or servicing equipment used in
  the production of gas, crude petroleum, or oil, including a mobile
  crane or hoisting equipment, mobile lift equipment, forklift, or
  tug.
         SECTION 9.  Section 502.146(d), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (d)  A vehicle described by Subsection (b) is exempt from the
  inspection requirements of Subchapter [Subchapters B and] F,
  Chapter 548.
         SECTION 10.  Section 547.601, Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 547.601.  SAFETY BELTS REQUIRED. A motor vehicle
  [required by Chapter 548 to be inspected] shall be equipped with:
               (1)  front safety belts if safety belt anchorages were
  part of the manufacturer's original equipment on the vehicle; or
               (2)  for a motor vehicle that is an assembled vehicle,
  as defined by Section 731.001, front safety belts in vehicles that
  contain safety belt anchorages.
         SECTION 11.  The heading to Chapter 548, Transportation
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 548.  [COMPULSORY] INSPECTION OF VEHICLES
         SECTION 12.  Section 548.001(10), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
               (10)  "Vehicle inspection report" means a report issued
  by an inspector or an inspection station for a vehicle that
  indicates whether the vehicle has passed an inspection [the safety
  and, if applicable, emissions inspections] required by this
  chapter.
         SECTION 13.  Section 548.006(b), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The members of the commission shall appoint seven
  members of the committee as follows:
               (1)  four persons to represent inspection station
  owners and operators[, with two of those persons from counties
  conducting vehicle emissions testing under Subchapter F and two of
  those persons from counties conducting safety only inspections];
               (2)  one person to represent manufacturers of motor
  vehicle emissions inspection devices;
               (3)  one person to represent independent vehicle
  equipment repair technicians; and
               (4)  one person to represent the public interest.
         SECTION 14.  Section 548.053, Transportation Code, is
  transferred to Subchapter E, Chapter 548, Transportation Code,
  redesignated as Section 548.255, Transportation Code, and amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 548.255  [548.053].  REINSPECTION OF VEHICLE REQUIRING
  ADJUSTMENT, CORRECTION, OR REPAIR. [(a)]  If an inspection
  discloses the necessity for adjustment, correction, or repair, an
  inspection station or inspector may not issue a passing vehicle
  inspection report until the adjustment, correction, or repair is
  made. The owner of the vehicle may have the adjustment, correction,
  or repair made by a qualified person of the owner's choice, subject
  to reinspection. The vehicle shall be reinspected once free of
  charge within 15 days after the date of the original inspection, not
  including the date the original inspection is made, at the same
  inspection station after the adjustment, correction, or repair is
  made.
         [(b)  A vehicle that is inspected and is subsequently
  involved in an accident affecting the safe operation of an item of
  inspection must be reinspected following repair. The reinspection
  must be at an inspection station and shall be treated and charged as
  an initial inspection.]
         SECTION 15.  Section 548.105, Transportation Code, is
  transferred to Subchapter E, Chapter 548, Transportation Code, and
  redesignated as Section 548.2521, Transportation Code, to read as
  follows:
         Sec. 548.2521 [548.105].  EVIDENCE OF FINANCIAL
  RESPONSIBILITY AS PREREQUISITE TO ISSUANCE OF PASSING VEHICLE
  INSPECTION REPORT. (a)  An inspection station or inspector may not
  issue a passing vehicle inspection report for a vehicle unless the
  owner or operator furnishes evidence of financial responsibility at
  the time of inspection. Evidence of financial responsibility may
  be shown in the manner specified under Section 601.053(a). A
  personal automobile insurance policy used as evidence of financial
  responsibility must be written for a term of 30 days or more as
  required by Section 1952.054, Insurance Code.
         (b)  An inspection station is not liable to a person,
  including a third party, for issuing a passing vehicle inspection
  report in reliance on evidence of financial responsibility
  furnished to the station. An inspection station that is the seller
  of a motor vehicle may rely on an oral insurance binder.
         SECTION 16.  Sections 548.203(a) and (b), Transportation
  Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The commission by rule may exempt a type of commercial
  motor vehicle from the application of this subchapter if the
  vehicle:
               (1)  was manufactured before September 1, 1995;
               (2)  is operated only temporarily on a highway of this
  state and at a speed of less than 30 miles per hour; and
               (3)  complies with [Section 548.051 and] each
  applicable provision in Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations.
         (b)  A [Notwithstanding Subchapter B, a] commercial motor
  vehicle is not subject to the inspection requirements of this
  chapter if the vehicle:
               (1)  is not domiciled in this state;
               (2)  is registered in this state or under the
  International Registration Plan as authorized by Section 502.091;
  and
               (3)  has been issued a certificate of inspection in
  compliance with federal motor carrier safety regulations.
         SECTION 17.  Subchapter E, Chapter 548, Transportation Code,
  is amended by adding Section 548.257 to read as follows:
         Sec. 548.257.  TIMING OF INSPECTION FOR REGISTRATION-BASED
  ENFORCEMENT.  The department shall require a vehicle required to be
  inspected under this chapter to pass the required inspection:
               (1)  for initial registration, not earlier than 90 days
  before the date of registration;
               (2)  for a renewal of registration, not earlier than 90
  days before the date of expiration of the vehicle's registration;
               (3)  if the vehicle is a used motor vehicle sold by a
  dealer, as defined by Section 503.001, in the 180 days preceding the
  date the dealer sells the vehicle; or
               (4)  if the vehicle is subject to the federal motor
  carrier safety regulations, in a period that complies with those
  regulations.
         SECTION 18.  Section 548.505(a), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The department by rule may impose an inspection fee for
  a vehicle inspected under Section 548.301(a) in addition to a fee
  adopted under Section 382.202, Health and Safety Code [the fee
  provided by Section 548.501, 548.502, 548.503, or 548.504]. A fee
  imposed under this subsection must be based on the costs of:
               (1)  providing inspections; and
               (2)  administering the program.
         SECTION 19.  Section 548.508, Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 548.508.  DISPOSITION OF FEES. Except as provided by
  Sections 382.0622 and 382.202, Health and Safety Code, and Sections 
  [Section] 548.5055 and 548.510 of this code, each fee remitted to
  the comptroller under this subchapter shall be deposited to the
  credit of the Texas mobility fund.
         SECTION 20.  Section 548.509, Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 548.509.  COLLECTION OF FEE DURING REGISTRATION. (a) 
  The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles or a county
  assessor-collector that registers a motor vehicle that is subject
  to an inspection fee under this chapter or Section 382.202, Health
  and Safety Code, or a replacement fee under Section 548.510 of this
  code shall collect at the time of registration of the motor vehicle
  the portion of the inspection fee that is required to be remitted to
  the state.
         (b)  The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles or the county
  assessor-collector shall remit the fee to the comptroller.
         SECTION 21.  Section 548.510, Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 548.510.  INSPECTION PROGRAM REPLACEMENT FEE [FOR
  CERTAIN VEHICLES NOT SUBJECT TO INSPECTION; COLLECTION OF FEE
  DURING REGISTRATION]. (a)  Except as provided by Subsections (b)
  and (c), in addition to other fees imposed at the time of
  registration, at the time of application for initial registration
  or renewal of registration of a motor vehicle, trailer,
  semitrailer, pole trailer, or mobile home, the applicant shall pay
  an annual fee of $7.50.
         (b)  Instead of the fee provided by Subsection (a), an
  applicant shall pay a one-time fee of $16.75 if the application is
  for the initial registration of a passenger car or light truck that:
               (1)  is sold in this state or purchased by a commercial
  fleet buyer described by Section 501.0234(b)(4) for use in this
  state;
               (2)  has not been previously registered in this or
  another state; and
               (3)  on the date of sale is of the current model year or
  preceding model year.
         (c)  An applicant who pays a fee under Subsection (b) for a
  registration year is not required to pay a fee under Subsection (a)
  for the next registration year for the same vehicle.
         (d)  [A vehicle described by Section 548.052(3) that has an
  actual gross weight or registered gross weight of more than 4,500
  pounds is subject to a fee in the amount of $7.50.
         [(b)  The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles or a county
  assessor-collector that registers a vehicle described by
  Subsection (a) shall collect at the time of registration of the
  vehicle the fee prescribed by Subsection (a). The Texas Department
  of Motor Vehicles or the county assessor-collector, as applicable,
  shall remit the fee to the comptroller.]  Each fee paid [remitted to
  the comptroller] under Subsection (a) [this section] shall be
  deposited by the comptroller after receipt under Section 548.509 as
  follows:
               (1)  $3.50 to the credit of the Texas mobility fund;
               (2)  $2 to the credit of the general revenue fund; and
               (3)  $2 to the credit of the clean air account.
         (e)  Each fee paid under Subsection (b) shall be deposited by
  the comptroller after receipt under Section 548.509 as follows:
               (1)  $12.75 to the credit of the Texas mobility fund;
               (2)  $2 to the credit of the general revenue fund; and
               (3)  $2 to the credit of the clean air account.
         (f)  A [(c) The] fee collected under this section
  [Subsection (a)] is not a motor vehicle registration fee and the
  revenue collected from the fee is not required to be used for a
  purpose specified by Section 7-a, Article VIII, Texas Constitution.
         SECTION 22.  Subchapter H, Chapter 548, Transportation Code,
  is amended by adding Section 548.511 to read as follows:
         Sec. 548.511.  VEHICLES NOT SUBJECT TO INSPECTION PROGRAM
  REPLACEMENT FEE. Section 548.510 does not apply to:
               (1)  a vehicle that is being registered under the
  International Registration Plan as authorized by Section 502.091;
               (2)  a token trailer that is being registered under
  Section 502.255, including a token trailer that is being registered
  for an extended period under Section 502.0023;
               (3)  a vehicle that is issued a permit under Section
  502.094 and is described by Section 502.094(e)(1) or (2);
               (4)  a former military vehicle that is issued a
  specialty license plate under Section 504.502;
               (5)  a log loader vehicle that is issued a specialty
  license plate under Section 504.506;
               (6)  farm machinery, road-building equipment, a farm
  trailer, or a vehicle required to display a slow-moving-vehicle
  emblem under Section 547.703;
               (7)  a commercial motor vehicle that is required to be
  inspected under Subchapter D or that is subject to fees under
  Section 548.203(c);
               (8)  a vehicle that is being registered under Section
  548.256(b);
               (9)  a neighborhood electric vehicle, as defined by
  Section 551.301;
               (10)  a trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or mobile
  home that:
                     (A)  has an actual gross weight or registered
  gross weight of 4,500 pounds or less; or
                     (B)  will move under or bear a factory-delivery
  license plate or in-transit license plate;
               (11)  a vehicle that will move under or bear a paper
  dealer in-transit tag, machinery license, disaster license, parade
  license, prorate tab, one-trip permit, vehicle temporary transit
  permit, antique license, custom vehicle license, street rod
  license, temporary 24-hour permit, or permit license; or
               (12)  a vehicle qualified for a tax exemption under
  Section 152.092, Tax Code.
         SECTION 23.  Section 548.603(a), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  A person commits an offense if the person:
               (1)  presents to an official of this state or a
  political subdivision of this state a vehicle inspection report or
  insurance document knowing that the report or document is
  counterfeit, tampered with, altered, fictitious, issued for
  another vehicle, issued for a vehicle failing to meet all emissions
  inspection requirements, or issued in violation of:
                     (A)  this chapter, rules adopted under this
  chapter, or other law of this state; or
                     (B)  a law of another state, the United States,
  the United Mexican States, a state of the United Mexican States,
  Canada, or a province of Canada; or
               (2)  [with intent to circumvent the emissions
  inspection requirements seeks an inspection of a vehicle at a
  station not certified to perform an emissions inspection if the
  person knows that the vehicle is required to be inspected under
  Section 548.301; or
               [(3)]  knowingly does not comply with an emissions
  inspection requirement for a vehicle.
         SECTION 24.  Section 548.604(a), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  A person commits an offense if the person operates or
  moves a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or
  mobile home, or a combination of those vehicles, that is[:
               [(1)]  equipped in violation of this chapter or a rule
  adopted under this chapter[; or
               [(2)  in a mechanical condition that endangers a
  person, including the operator or an occupant, or property].
         SECTION 25.  Section 731.101(a), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  In addition to any [the] inspection required under
  Chapter 548, an assembled vehicle must pass an inspection conducted
  by a master technician for the type of assembled vehicle being
  inspected. The inspection must be conducted before issuance of a
  title for the assembled vehicle.
         SECTION 26.  The following provisions of the Transportation
  Code are repealed:
               (1)  the heading to Subchapter B, Chapter 548;
               (2)  Sections 548.051 and 548.052;
               (3)  the heading to Subchapter C, Chapter 548;
               (4)  Sections 548.101, 548.102, 548.103, and 548.104;
               (5)  Sections 548.301(d) and 548.3045(b); and
               (6)  Sections 548.501, 548.502, and 548.503.
         SECTION 27.  Not later than January 1, 2025, the Department
  of Public Safety shall submit to the lieutenant governor and the
  speaker of the house of representatives a report on changes in the
  department's expenses and income that result from implementing the
  changes in law required by this Act, including the increase or
  decrease, if any, of the number of full-time equivalent employees
  needed to administer Chapters 547 and 548, Transportation Code,
  between September 1, 2023, and the date the report is prepared.
         SECTION 28.  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
  before that date.
         SECTION 29.  This Act takes effect January 1, 2025.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 3297 was passed by the House on May 5,
  2023, by the following vote:  Yeas 105, Nays 40, 1 present, not
  voting; that the House refused to concur in Senate amendments to
  H.B. No. 3297 on May 25, 2023, and requested the appointment of a
  conference committee to consider the differences between the two
  houses; and that the House adopted the conference committee report
  on H.B. No. 3297 on May 28, 2023, by the following vote:  Yeas 109,
  Nays 32, 2 present, not voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 3297 was passed by the Senate, with
  amendments, on May 21, 2023, by the following vote:  Yeas 20, Nays
  11; at the request of the House, the Senate appointed a conference
  committee to consider the differences between the two houses; and
  that the Senate adopted the conference committee report on H.B. No.
  3297 on May 28, 2023, by the following vote:  Yeas 20, Nays 11.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate   
  APPROVED: __________________
                  Date       
   
           __________________
                Governor