AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Concerned parties contend that certain bad actors in the automotive wrecking and salvage yard industry in Harris County are likely to be engaging in activities that violate the statutes in the Transportation Code specifically designed to govern that industry. The parties emphasize that the incentives to stop these violations should come in the form of an increased maximum civil penalty for those statutory violations. H.B. 691 seeks to address this issue.
H.B. 691 amends current law relating to the regulation of automotive wrecking and salvage yards in certain counties and increases the civil penalty.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 397.0125(a), Transportation Code, to provide that, in addition to the penalty provided by Section 397.012 (Penalty), a person who operates an automotive wrecking and salvage yard in violation of this chapter is liable for a civil penalty of not less than $500 or more than $2,500, rather than $500 or more than $1,000, for each violation.
SECTION 2. Provides that the change in law made by this Act applies only to a violation of Chapter 397, Transportation Code, that occurs on or after the effective date of this Act. Makes application of this Act prospective.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2015.