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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the implementation by the Texas Commission on |
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Environmental Quality of a low-emission vehicle program. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. This Act may be cited as the Low-Emission Vehicle |
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Act. |
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SECTION 2. The legislature finds that: |
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(1) air pollution from motor vehicles is dangerous to |
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the health of the residents of this state; |
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(2) motor vehicles are a major source of pollution in |
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this state and contribute to the emission of greenhouse gases that |
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cause worldwide climate change; and |
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(3) technology can significantly reduce dangerous |
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emissions from motor vehicles. |
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SECTION 3. This Act is intended to protect the health and |
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safety of the residents of this state. |
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SECTION 4. Subchapter B, Chapter 382, Health and Safety |
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Code, is amended by adding Section 382.0192 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 382.0192. LOW-EMISSION VEHICLE PROGRAM. (a) In this |
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section, "California Low-Emission Vehicle program" means the |
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low-emission vehicle program being implemented in California |
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pursuant to the provisions of the federal Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. |
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Section 7401 et seq.) and the California Code of Regulations. |
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(b) The commission shall implement a low-emission vehicle |
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program that is consistent with the California Low-Emission Vehicle |
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program. The program applies only to motor vehicles with a model |
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year of 2012 or later. |
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(c) The commission shall adopt rules as necessary to |
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implement this section in a manner that maintains consistency with |
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the California Low-Emission Vehicle program. |
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(d) Notwithstanding Subsections (b) and (c), if after the |
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effective date of the law enacting this section California adopts |
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standards relating to the control of emissions from new motor |
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vehicles or new motor vehicle engines that are inconsistent with |
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the California Low-Emission Vehicle program as that program existed |
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on the effective date of the law enacting this section or if after |
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that date the federal standards relating to the control of |
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emissions from new motor vehicles or new motor vehicle engines are |
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amended, the commission may adopt the federal standards if the |
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commission determines that the federal standards provide a more |
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cost-effective method of achieving any reductions in emissions of |
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air contaminants required by state or federal law. |
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SECTION 5. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |