Enrolled Bill Summary

            Senate Bill 1019 amends the Transportation Code to require the Texas Department of Public Safety by rule to establish uniform standards for the enforcement of commercial motor vehicle regulations by municipal police officers. The act requires the department to revoke the certification of police officers who fail to comply with the standards. It establishes a 20-day deadline for a person to either respond to the department's notice that an administrative penalty has been imposed or pay the penalty, and prohibits the person from operating or directing the operation of a commercial motor vehicle while the penalty remains unpaid. Senate Bill 1019 requires the department to impound a vehicle for nonpayment, after serving notice of impoundment, until the penalty is paid and makes the towing and storage costs the responsibility of the vehicle owner or operator. The act requires the department to implement and enforce a safety audit program for all commercial motor vehicles that are domiciled in this state.