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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the verification of motor vehicle financial |
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responsibility information. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 601.053, Transportation Code, is amended |
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by amending Subsection (c) and adding Subsections (d), (e), and (f) |
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to read as follows: |
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(c) Subsection (b) does not apply if the peace officer |
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determines through use of the verification program established |
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under Subchapter N that financial responsibility has been |
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established for the vehicle. If a peace officer has access to the |
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verification program, the officer may not issue a citation for a |
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violation of Section 601.051 unless the officer attempts to verify |
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through the program that financial responsibility has been |
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established for the vehicle and is unable to make that |
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verification. |
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(d) An operator required to provide evidence of financial |
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responsibility under Subsection (a) may provide the evidence of |
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financial responsibility in electronic format displayed on a |
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wireless communication device or other portable electronic device. |
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(e) The display of an image that includes financial |
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responsibility information on a wireless communication device or |
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other portable electronic device under Subsection (d) does not |
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constitute effective consent for a law enforcement officer, or any |
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other person, to access the contents of the wireless communication |
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device or other portable electronic device except to view the |
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financial responsibility information. |
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(f) A telecommunications provider, as defined by Section |
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51.002, Utilities Code, may not be held liable to the operator of |
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the motor vehicle for the failure of a wireless communication |
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device to display financial responsibility information under |
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Subsection (d). |
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SECTION 2. 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, 2013. |