1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to the automation of the compulsory motor vehicle 1-3 inspection system. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 548, Transportation Code, 1-6 is amended by adding Section 548.006 to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 548.006. AUTOMATION OF INSPECTION PROCEDURES. (a) The 1-8 department shall develop and administer procedures to automate the 1-9 compulsory motor vehicle inspection system under this chapter. 1-10 (b) As a condition of certifying a location as an inspection 1-11 station under this chapter, the department may require the 1-12 applicant to participate in the automated inspection system. 1-13 (c) The automated inspection system developed by the 1-14 department must include password security protection for each 1-15 inspector who accesses the system. As a condition of certifying a 1-16 person as an inspector under this chapter, the department may 1-17 require the applicant to agree that: 1-18 (1) the person's automated password is equivalent, for 1-19 inspection purposes, to the person's written signature; and 1-20 (2) on certification and for all purposes, the person 1-21 is legally responsible for any inspection performed under the 1-22 person's automated password. 1-23 SECTION 2. Subchapter H, Chapter 548, Transportation Code, 1-24 is amended by adding Section 548.508 to read as follows: 2-1 Sec. 548.508. FEES FOR AUTOMATED INSPECTION SYSTEM. (a) On 2-2 implementation of the automated inspection system under Section 2-3 548.006: 2-4 (1) in addition to each fee authorized by this 2-5 subchapter, for each safety inspection certificate sold to an 2-6 inspection station participating in the automated system, the 2-7 department may impose an additional fee not to exceed $2; and 2-8 (2) in addition to the fees authorized by Sections 2-9 548.501, 548.503, and 548.504, for each inspection performed under 2-10 this chapter, an inspection station participating in the automated 2-11 system may impose an additional fee not to exceed $2. 2-12 (b) The department may use fees collected under Subsection 2-13 (a)(1) only for the development and administration of the automated 2-14 inspection system under Section 548.006. 2-15 (c) The department may impose the additional fee authorized 2-16 by Subsection (a)(1) or (2) only in a county all or part of which 2-17 participates in this program. 2-18 (d) In any fiscal year, if the amount received by the 2-19 department from the additional fees authorized by Subsection (b) 2-20 exceeds the department's cost in developing and administering the 2-21 automated inspection system in that year, the department shall 2-22 deposit the excess to the credit of the account established for the 2-23 payment of the principal of and interest on bonds authorized by 2-24 Section 222.035, Transportation Code, as added by Senate Bill No. 2-25 966, Acts of the 76th Legislature, Regular Session, 1999. 2-26 (e) This section expires September 1, 2004. 2-27 SECTION 3. (a) This Act takes effect September 1, 1999. 3-1 (b) Section 548.508(d), Transportation Code, as added by 3-2 this Act, takes effect only if S.B. No. 966, Acts of the 76th 3-3 Legislature, Regular Session, 1999, is enacted and becomes law and 3-4 the Texas Transportation Commission issues bonds under that law. 3-5 If the Texas Transportation Commission does not issue bonds under 3-6 that law, Section 548.508(d), Transportation Code, as added by this 3-7 Act, has no effect. 3-8 SECTION 4. The importance of this legislation and the 3-9 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 3-10 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 3-11 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 3-12 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended. _______________________________ _______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.B. No. 2794 was passed by the House on April 23, 1999, by a non-record vote; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B. No. 2794 on May 28, 1999, by a non-record vote. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.B. No. 2794 was passed by the Senate, with amendments, on May 26, 1999, by a viva-voce vote. _______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________ Date _____________________ Governor