83R6013 AJZ-F | ||
By: Harper-Brown | H.B. No. 2876 |
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relating to fees for the compulsory inspection of motor vehicles; | ||
authorizing a maximum fee to be charged by an inspection station. | ||
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
SECTION 1. The heading to Section 548.102, Transportation | ||
Code, is amended to read as follows: | ||
Sec. 548.102. [ |
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PASSENGER CAR OR LIGHT TRUCK. | ||
SECTION 2. Section 548.102(a), Transportation Code, is | ||
amended to read as follows: | ||
(a) The initial inspection period is three [ |
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passenger car or light truck that: | ||
(1) is sold in this state; | ||
(2) has not been previously registered in this or | ||
another state; and | ||
(3) on the date of sale is of the current or preceding | ||
model year. | ||
SECTION 3. Section 548.501, Transportation Code, is amended | ||
by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (c) and (d) to | ||
read as follows: | ||
(a) Except as provided by Sections 548.503 and 548.504, each | ||
inspection station shall set a reasonable maximum [ |
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inspection of a motor vehicle [ |
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fee set by the inspection station exceeds the recommended maximum | ||
inspection fee set by the commission under Subsection (d), the | ||
inspection station must provide written notice to the commission of | ||
the inspection station's maximum inspection fee. The maximum | ||
inspection fee must include any amount to be charged [ |
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verification form issued as required by Section 548.256 [ |
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(c) After receiving written notice under Subsection (a), | ||
the commission may review an inspection station's maximum | ||
inspection fee to determine whether it is reasonable. In | ||
determining whether a maximum inspection fee charged by an | ||
inspection station is reasonable, the commission may consider the | ||
resources required by the inspection station to perform the | ||
station's inspection duties under state and federal law. If the | ||
commission determines that an inspection fee is not reasonable, the | ||
commission may require the inspection station to reduce the amount | ||
of the maximum inspection fee the station charges. | ||
(d) The commission by rule shall establish a statewide | ||
recommended maximum inspection fee that an inspection station may | ||
charge for inspection of a motor vehicle. | ||
SECTION 4. Section 548.503, Transportation Code, is amended | ||
to read as follows: | ||
Sec. 548.503. INITIAL [ |
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CAR OR LIGHT TRUCK. (a) The fee for inspection of a passenger car | ||
or light truck under Section 548.102 shall be set by the department | ||
by rule on or before September 1 of each year. A fee set by the | ||
department under this subsection must be based on the costs of | ||
producing certificates, providing inspections, and administering | ||
the program, but may not be less than $34.25 [ |
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(b) The department shall require an inspection station to | ||
make an advance payment of $20.25 [ |
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issued under this section. Additional payment may not be required | ||
of the station for the certificate. The inspection station may | ||
waive the fee due from the owner of the vehicle inspected. A refund | ||
for an unissued certificate shall be made in the same manner as | ||
provided for other certificate refunds. | ||
SECTION 5. Subchapter H, Chapter 548, Transportation Code, | ||
is amended by adding Section 548.509 to read as follows: | ||
Sec. 548.509. SIGNS DISPLAYING FEES. An inspection station | ||
shall post, in an area of the station that is accessible to and | ||
frequented by the public, a sign or placard stating: | ||
(1) the maximum fee the inspection station may charge | ||
for a vehicle safety inspection; and | ||
(2) the maximum fee the inspection station may charge | ||
for an emissions test, if required. | ||
SECTION 6. (a) Not later than October 1, 2013, the Public | ||
Safety Commission shall adopt any rules necessary to implement | ||
Section 548.501, Transportation Code, as amended by this Act. | ||
(b) Section 548.501(a), Transportation Code, as amended by | ||
this Act, applies only to an inspection of a motor vehicle performed | ||
on or after October 1, 2013. An inspection performed before October | ||
1, 2013, is governed by the law in effect on the date the inspection | ||
was performed, and the former law is continued in effect for that | ||
purpose. | ||
SECTION 7. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |