BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 1793
85R21374 JXC-D	By: Pickett (Hancock)
	Transportation
	5/5/2017
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

There are concerns that many Texas trucks and trailers registered as commercial motor vehicles are not domiciled in Texas, which forces those vehicles to travel long distances to obtain the required valid annual inspection. Reports indicate that the expense of this obligation, especially considering driver wages and per diems, fuel, and the necessary downtime for the trucks and trailers, may be forcing some in the industry to register their fleets in states that have less burdensome registration and inspection requirements, resulting in a loss of revenue to the state.

H.B. 1793 allows trucks registered under the International Registration Plan and token trailers registered in Texas, but domiciled out of state, to be exempt from the state's compulsory annual inspection. They would only be exempt if these vehicles are issued a certificate of inspection in compliance with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration annual inspection program.

H.B. 1793 would require commercial vehicles that were not inspected in Texas to pay any fees that would apply if the vehicle had been inspected here.

H.B. 1793 amends current law relating to the inspection of certain commercial motor vehicles that are not domiciled in this state.

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 548.203, Transportation Code, as follows:

Sec. 548.203. EXEMPTIONS. (a) Creates this subsection from existing text and makes no further changes to this subsection.

(b) Provides that, notwithstanding Subchapter B (Vehicles and Equipment Subject to Inspection and Reinspection), a commercial motor vehicle is not subject to the inspection requirements of this chapter (Compulsory Inspection of Vehicles) if the vehicle:

(1) is not domiciled in this state;

(2) is registered in this state or under the International Registration Plan as authorized by Section 502.091 (International Registration Plan); and

(3) has been issued a certificate of inspection in compliance with federal motor carrier safety regulations.

(c) Provides that a commercial motor vehicle described by Subsection (b) is subject to any fees established by this code that would apply to the vehicle if the vehicle were subject to the inspection requirements of this chapter, including a fee under Section 548.504 (Inspection of Commercial Motor Vehicle) or 548.5055 (Texas Emission Reduction Plan Fee).

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2017.