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Amend CSHB 2702 by adding a new Section __ as follows and
renumber all remaining sections appropriately.
(a) The Study Commission on Availability of Pre-Owned Heavy
Duty Commercial Motor Vehicles is created as provided by this
section.
(b) The commission is composed of three members as follows:
(1) one member appointed by the governor;
(2) one member appointed by the lieutenant governor;
(3) one member appointed by the speaker of the house of
representatives.
(c) Each member of the commission serves at the will of the
person who appointed the member.
(d) The members of the commission shall select the presiding
officer.
(e) A member of the commission is not entitled to receive
compensation for service on the commission but is entitled to
reimbursement of the travel expenses incurred by the member while
conducting the business of the commission, as provided by the
General Appropriations Act.
(f) The commission may accept gifts and grants from any
source to be used to carry out a function of the commission.
(g) The commission shall conduct public hearings and study
public policy implications relating to any act by the Texas
Department of Transportation that would close existing businesses
in this state because of the ownership structure of businesses that
sell pre-owned heavy duty trucks that weigh in excess of 11,000
pounds. The commission shall determine whether such actions by the
department could impact the use and operation of rail and highway
transportation facilities in this state by heavy duty trucks.
(h) The study shall include:
(1) a review of the laws of other states regarding
whether there are restrictions on ownership structure of businesses
that sell heavy duty commercial trucks;
(2) a review of whether safety of pre-owned heavy duty
trucks on highways in this state could be compromised if the Texas
Department of Transportation closes businesses that currently sell
such trucks;
(3) a review of whether the Texas Department of
Transportation's application of Section 2301.476 of the
Occupations Code could negatively impact competition in the
pre-owned heavy duty truck market as well as the impact that such a
decision could have on small, independent pre-owned truck
dealerships, and independent owner/operators of trucking
businesses in this state;
(4) other issues that the commission considers
relevant to protecting the public interest regarding safety and
availability of pre-owned heavy duty trucks that operate on the
highways of this state.
(i) Not later than December 1, 2006, the commission shall
issue a report to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the
house of representatives, and the chair of the committee in the
house and senate with jurisdiction of transportation issues. The
report shall summarize the following:
(1) any hearings conducted by the commission;
(2) any studies conducted by the commission;
(3) any legislation proposed by the commission; and,
(4) any other findings and recommendations of the
commission.