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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the low income vehicle repair assistance, retrofit, and |
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accelerated vehicle retirement program. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 382.209, Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended by adding Subsections (i) and (j) to read as follows: |
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(i) A participating county shall authorize monetary or |
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other compensation to the eligible vehicle owner if all |
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requirements for eligibility are met and funding is available. The |
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compensations shall be: |
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(1) no more than $900 and no less than $40 per vehicle |
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to be used for emission-related repairs or retrofits performed at |
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recognized emissions repair facilities, including diagnostics |
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tests performed on the vehicle; or |
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(2) no more than $1500 and no less than $1000 per, |
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vehicle, including diagnostic tests, to be used toward a |
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replacement vehicle for the accelerated retirement of an eligible |
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vehicle. |
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(j) For accelerated vehicle retirement, provided that the |
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maximum and minimum levels in subsection (i) (2) are met and |
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eligibility requirements are met, a participating county may set a |
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specific level of compensation or implement a level of compensation |
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schedule that allows flexibility. The commission, by rule, shall |
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adopt criteria for determining the amount of financial assistance. |
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SECTION 2. Section 382.210, Health and Safety Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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§ 382.210. IMPLEMENTATION GUIDELINES. The |
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commission by rule shall adopt guidelines to assist a participating |
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county in implementing a low-income vehicle repair assistance, |
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retrofit, and accelerated vehicle retirement program authorized |
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under Section 382.209. The guidelines at a minimum shall recommend: |
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[(1) a minimum and maximum amount for repair
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assistance;
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(2) a minimum and maximum amount toward the purchase
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price of a replacement vehicle qualified for the accelerated
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retirement program;] |
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(1) [(3)] criteria for determining eligibility, |
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taking into account: |
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(A) the vehicle owner's income; |
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(B) the fair market value of the vehicle; and |
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(C) any other relevant considerations; |
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(2) [(4)] safeguards for preventing fraud in the |
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repair, purchase, or sale of a vehicle in the program; and |
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(3) [(5)] procedures for determining the degree and |
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amount of repair assistance a vehicle is allowed, based on: |
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(A)the amount of money the vehicle owner has spent |
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on repairs; |
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(B) the vehicle owner's income; and |
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(C) any other relevant factors. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |