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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the requirement that certain applicants for a vehicle |
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dealer general distinguishing number complete a dealer education |
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course. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 503.029, Transportation Code, is amended |
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by adding Subsections (d), (e), and (f) to read as follows: |
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(d) An applicant for an original dealer general |
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distinguishing number who proposes to be an independent motor |
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vehicle dealer, as specified under Subsection (a)(6)(B), and who |
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does not hold a general distinguishing number as a franchised motor |
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vehicle dealer or independent motor vehicle dealer, as specified |
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under Subsection (a)(6)(A) or (B), must submit to the department |
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evidence that the applicant completed a dealer education course, |
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approved by the department, in the 12-month period preceding the |
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date the application is filed. The course must be at least eight |
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hours and not more than 12 hours in length. If the applicant is an |
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entity, the course must be completed by one individual listed on the |
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application as an owner. |
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(e) The department may approve a dealer education course |
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under Subsection (d) only if the provider of the course: |
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(1) is a business with experience providing compliance |
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education to independent motor vehicle dealers; |
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(2) provides online and CD-ROM versions of the course |
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in English and in Spanish with assessment and verification |
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capabilities; |
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(3) provides ongoing educational support by telephone |
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or the Internet for one year at no additional cost to persons who |
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have completed a course; |
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(4) provides at least one instructor-led dealer |
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education course each month, including at least one instructor-led |
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course each year in or near: |
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(A) Austin; |
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(B) Dallas and Fort Worth; |
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(C) El Paso; |
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(D) Houston; and |
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(E) San Antonio; and |
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(5) has a curriculum review panel for the course that |
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consists of at least four independent motor vehicle dealers who |
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hold dealer general distinguishing numbers. |
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(f) An applicant is not required to comply with Subsection |
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(d) if, at the time the application is submitted, a dealer education |
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course is not currently approved by the department. |
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SECTION 2. Subsection (d), Section 503.029, Transportation |
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Code, as added by this Act, applies only to an application for an |
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original independent motor vehicle dealer general distinguishing |
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number filed with the Texas Department of Transportation on or |
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after September 1, 2010. An application filed before that date is |
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governed by the law in effect when the application was filed, and |
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the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
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SECTION 3. Not later than January 1, 2010, the Texas |
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Department of Transportation shall begin to approve or reject |
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applications from providers of dealer education courses under |
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Sections 503.029(d) and (e), Transportation Code, as added by this |
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Act. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |