BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center

S.B. 511

 

By: Rodr�guez

 

Transportation

 

6/13/2019

 

Enrolled

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Concerned observers note the high incidence of motor vehicle accidents due to tire blowouts, tire thread separations, and bald tires. S.B. 511 seeks to prevent these tire-related accidents by creating an offense for the installation of tires that are considered to be unsafe or in violation of applicable safety standards adopted by the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas. (Original Author's/Sponsor's Statement of Intent)

 

S.B. 511 amends current law relating to the installation of unsafe motor vehicle tires and provides a 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 547.001, Transportation Code, by adding Subdivision (9-a), as follows:

 

(9-a) Defines "unsafe tire" as a tire that:

 

(A) has tire tread less than one-sixteenth of an inch deep;

 

(B) has a localized worn spot that exposes the ply or cord through the tread;

 

(C) has a tread or sidewall crack, cut, or snag as measured on the outside of the tire that is more than one inch long and deep enough to expose the body cords;

 

(D) has any visible bump, bulge, or knot apparently related to tread or sidewall separation or partial failure of the tire structure, including bead area;

 

(E)  has been repaired temporarily by the use of a blowout patch or boot;

 

(F)  has worn tread wear indicators that contact the road in any two adjacent major grooves in the center or middle of the tire; or

 

(G)  does not otherwise meet applicable Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas safety standards for the tire adopted under Section 547.101 (Rules and Standards in General).

 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 547.612, Transportation Code, by adding Subsection (f), as follows:

 

(f) Prohibits a person who owns or operates a business that installs tires on motor vehicles or an employee of the person, except as otherwise provided by this subsection, from knowingly installing an unsafe tire on a motor vehicle to be used on a public street or highway. Provides that a person who violates this subsection is liable to this state for a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $500. Provides that this subsection does not apply to the reinstallation of a tire on a motor vehicle that had been removed from the motor vehicle. Provides that Section 542.301 (General Offense) does not apply to a violation of this subsection.

 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2019.