83R9914 JAM-D

By: Uresti S.B. No. 888

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the initial inspection period for certain vehicles.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 382.203(a), Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) The inspection and maintenance program applies to any gasoline-powered vehicle that is:

(1) required to be registered in and is primarily operated in an affected county; and

(2) at least five [two] and less than 25 years old; or

(3) subject to test-on-resale requirements under Section 548.3011, Transportation Code.

SECTION 2. The heading to Section 548.102, Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 548.102. FIVE-YEAR [TWO-YEAR] INITIAL INSPECTION PERIOD FOR NEW PASSENGER CAR OR LIGHT TRUCK.

SECTION 3. Section 548.102(a), Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) The initial inspection period is five [two] years for a 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 4. Section 548.501(a), Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) Except as provided by Section [Sections 548.503 and] 548.504, the fee for inspection of a motor vehicle other than a moped is $12.50. The fee for inspection of a moped is $5.75. The fee for a verification form issued as required by Section 548.256 is $1.

SECTION 5. Section 548.503, Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 548.503. INITIAL [TWO-YEAR] INSPECTION DEFERRAL FEE FOR NEW [OF] PASSENGER CAR OR LIGHT TRUCK. (a) For [The fee for inspection of] a passenger car or light truck described by [under] Section 548.102, each year for the three-year period beginning on the second anniversary of the vehicle's initial registration, the county in which the vehicle is registered shall collect from the owner of the vehicle an amount equal to the fee that would be imposed for the inspection of the vehicle under Sections 548.501 and 548.505 [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 $21.75].

(b) A county shall remit each fee collected under Subsection (a) to the comptroller for deposit as follows:

(1) $2 to the credit of the clean air account created under Section 382.0622, Health and Safety Code; and

(2) the remainder to the credit of the Texas mobility fund. [The department shall require an inspection station to make an advance payment of $14.75 for a certificate to be 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 6. Section 548.505(a), Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) The department by rule may impose an inspection fee for a vehicle inspected under Section 548.301(a) in addition to the fee provided by Section 548.501, 548.502, 548.503(a) [548.503], or 548.504. A fee imposed under this subsection must be based on the costs of:

(1) producing certificates;

(2) providing inspections; and

(3) administering the program.

SECTION 7. Section 548.508, Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 548.508. DISPOSITION OF FEES. Except as provided by Sections 382.0622 and 382.202, Health and Safety Code, and Sections 548.503(b) and [Section] 548.5055, each fee collected by the department under this subchapter shall be deposited to the credit of the Texas mobility fund.

SECTION 8. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.