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