Honorable Joseph Pickett, Chair, House Committee on Transportation
FROM:
Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB3050 by Rodriguez, Eddie (Relating to the modification of a motor vehicle to emit soot, smoke, or other particulate matter; creating an offense; imposing an administrative penalty.), As Introduced
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would establish a Class C Misdemeanor in the Transportation Code for modifying a diesel-powered motor vehicle in a manner that the owner knows or should know will increase the vehicle's capacity to emit soot, smoke or particulate matter. The bill would also establish a Class C misdemeanor for intentionally or knowingly using a modification that will increase the diesel powered motor vehicle's capacity to emit soot, smoke, or particulate matter, while operating the motor vehicle on a public roadway. The bill also would amend the Transportation code to allow the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) to impose an administrative penalty of not more than $2,500 for violating this provision.
No significant fiscal impact to the TCEQ is expected as a result of the bill's passage.
Local Government Impact
A Class C misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of not more than $500. Costs to local governments associated with enforcement and prosecution could likely be absorbed within existing resources. Revenue gain from fines imposed and collected is not anticipated to have a significant fiscal impact on local governments.
Source Agencies:
304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 405 Department of Public Safety, 582 Commission on Environmental Quality