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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the idling of motor vehicles. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 382, Health and Safety |
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Code, is amended by adding Section 382.0191 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 382.0191. IDLING OF MOTOR VEHICLE. (a) In this |
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section, "idling" means allowing an engine to run while the motor |
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vehicle is not engaged in forward or reverse motion. |
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(b) The commission may not prohibit or limit the idling of |
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any motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating greater than |
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8,500 pounds that is equipped with a 2008 or subsequent model year |
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heavy-duty diesel engine that has been certified by the United |
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States Environmental Protection Agency or another state |
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environmental agency to emit not more than 30 grams of nitrogen |
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oxides emissions per hour when idling. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter Z, Chapter 622, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 622.955 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 622.955. MAXIMUM WEIGHT FOR VEHICLES WITH IDLE |
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REDUCTION SYSTEMS. (a) For purposes of this section, "idle |
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reduction system" means a system that provides heating, cooling, or |
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electrical service to a commercial vehicle's sleeper berth for the |
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purpose of reducing the idling of a motor vehicle. |
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(b) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, a |
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vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with an idle reduction |
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system may exceed the maximum gross vehicle weight limit and axle |
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weight limit prescribed for the vehicle or combination of vehicles |
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by an amount necessary to compensate for the additional weight of |
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the idle reduction system. |
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(c) The weight allowance under Subsection (b) may not be |
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greater than 400 pounds. |
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(d) On request by an appropriate law enforcement officer or |
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an official of an appropriate regulatory agency, the vehicle |
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operator shall provide proof that: |
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(1) the idle reduction technology is fully functional |
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at all times; and |
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(2) the weight increase is not used for any purpose |
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other than the use of an idle reduction system. |
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SECTION 3. 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, 2011. |