BILL ANALYSIS
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Senate Research Center |
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AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Compressed natural gas is a growing source of clean burning fuel for vehicles in the United States and particularly in Texas. Federal motor vehicle safety standards and manufacturers of compressed natural gas containers on vehicles require that each container be inspected by a certified inspector once every three years or 36,000 miles in operation to ensure the continued integrity of the container and safety of the passengers. There is currently no way to ensure these cylinders are being inspected and, if necessary, removed.
H.B. 2305 amends current law relating to motor vehicle inspection requirements for vehicles equipped with compressed natural gas containers.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas in SECTION 1 (Section 548.104, Transportation Code) and SECTION 2 of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 548.104(d), Transportation Code, as follows:
(d) Prohibits an inspection station or inspector from issuing an inspection certificate for a vehicle equipped with certain equipment, including certain carburetion and sunscreening devices, and compressed natural gas container unless the owner demonstrates in accordance with the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas (DPS) rules proof that the container has met the inspection requirements under 49 C.F.R. Section 571.304, and the manufacturer's recommended service life for the container, as stated on the container label required by 49 C.F.R. Section 571.304, has not expired, or that the vehicle is a fleet vehicle for which the fleet operator employs a technician certified to inspect the container.
SECTION 2. (a) Requires DPS, not later than January 1, 2014, to adopt rules relating to the proof required by Section 548.104(d), Transportation Code, as amended by this Act.
(b) Provides that the change in law made by Section 548.104(d), Transportation Code, as amended by this Act, applies only to a vehicle inspected on or after September 1, 2014.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.