81R4328 BEF-F
 
  By: Harris S.B. No. 520
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the requirement that certain applicants for a vehicle
  dealer general distinguishing number complete a dealer education
  course.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 503.029, Transportation Code, is amended
  by adding Subsections (d) and (e) to read as follows:
         (d)  An applicant for an original dealer general
  distinguishing number who proposes to be an independent motor
  vehicle dealer and who does not hold a general distinguishing
  number as a franchised motor vehicle dealer or independent  motor
  vehicle dealer must submit to the department evidence that the
  applicant completed a dealer education course, approved by the
  department, in the year preceding the date the application is
  filed.  The course must be at least eight hours and not more than 12
  hours in length.
         (e)  The department may approve a dealer education course
  under Subsection (d) only if the provider of the course:
               (1)  is a business with experience providing compliance
  education to independent motor vehicle dealers;
               (2)  provides online and CD-ROM versions of the course
  with assessment and verification capabilities;
               (3)  provides ongoing educational support by telephone
  or the Internet for one year at no additional cost to persons who
  have completed a course;
               (4)  provides at least one instructor-led dealer
  education course each month, including at least one instructor-led
  course each year in or near:
                     (A)  Austin;
                     (B)  Dallas and Fort Worth;
                     (C)  El Paso;
                     (D)  Houston; and
                     (E)  San Antonio; and
               (5)  has a curriculum review panel for the course that
  consists of at least four independent motor vehicle dealers who
  hold dealer general distinguishing numbers.
         SECTION 2.  Section 503.029(d), Transportation Code, as
  added by this Act, applies only to an application for an original
  independent motor vehicle dealer general distinguishing number
  filed with the Texas Department of Transportation on or after
  September 1, 2010.  An application filed before that date is
  governed by the law in effect when the application was filed, and
  the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 3.  Not later than January 1, 2010, the Texas
  Department of Transportation shall begin to approve or reject
  applications from providers of dealer education courses under
  Sections 503.029(d) and (e), Transportation Code, as added by this
  Act.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.