BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 198
88R21566 AJZ-F	By: Noble; Cook (Paxton)
	Transportation
	5/18/2023
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Due to the size and weight of travel trailers, owners are often burdened with the task of getting their trailer inspected. It has been suggested that this requirement is duplicative as the owner must first already personally conduct a self-inspection of the trailer before transporting it to the inspection station. Moreover, it is difficult for many owners to even find an inspection station to perform the inspection as many stations cannot accommodate the size and shape of the trailer in addition to the vehicle pulling it.

H.B. 198 seeks to exempt from this inspection requirement the owner of a travel trailer who conducts a self-inspection and submits an affidavit at the time of registration that the trailer is in proper and safe condition and compliant with all applicable rules and requirements.

H.B. 198 amends current law relating to vehicle safety inspections of certain travel trailers.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 548, Transportation Code, by adding Section 548.054, as follows:

Sec. 548.054. INSPECTION OF CERTAIN TRAVEL TRAILERS BY OWNER. Provides that a travel trailer, as defined by Section 501.002 (Definitions), that is not exempt from Chapter 548 (Compulsory Inspection of Vehicles) under Section 548.052(3) (relating to providing that Chapter 148 does not apply to certain trailers and mobile homes) meets the safety inspection requirements of this chapter if the owner submits to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) or county tax assessor-collector at the time of the trailer's registration an affidavit stating that:

(1) the owner has inspected the trailer during the period prescribed by Section 548.101 (General One-Year Inspection Period); and

(2) the trailer is in proper and safe condition and complies with this chapter and the rules adopted under this chapter.

SECTION 2. Amends the heading to Section 548.510, Transportation Code, to read as follows:

Sec. 548.510. FEE FOR CERTAIN EXEMPTED VEHICLES; COLLECTION OF FEE DURING REGISTRATION.

SECTION 3. Amends Section 548.510(a), Transportation Code, as follows:

(a) Provides that a vehicle described by Section 548.052(3) that has an actual gross weight or registered gross weight of more than 4,500 pounds, and a travel trailer that has been certified by the trailer's owner as meeting the safety inspection requirements of this chapter under Section 548.054, are each subject to a fee in the amount of $7.50. Makes a nonsubstantive change.

SECTION 4. Provides that it the intent of the legislature that TxDMV and the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas implement the provisions of this Act using money appropriated to those agencies that is authorized to be spent for that purpose.

SECTION 5. Effective date: September 1, 2023.