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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the registration, operation, and inspection of |
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automated motor vehicles. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 502, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 502.0431 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 502.0431. APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF AUTOMATED |
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MOTOR VEHICLE. An applicant for registration of an automated motor |
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vehicle, as defined by Section 545.451, must indicate in the |
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vehicle description required under Section 502.043(a) that the |
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vehicle is an automated motor vehicle. |
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SECTION 2. Section 545.454(b), Transportation Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(b) An automated motor vehicle may not operate on a highway |
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in this state with the automated driving system engaged unless the |
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vehicle is: |
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(1) capable of operating in compliance with applicable |
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traffic and motor vehicle laws of this state, subject to this |
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subchapter; |
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(2) equipped with a recording device, as defined by |
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Section 547.615(a), installed by the manufacturer of the automated |
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motor vehicle or automated driving system; |
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(3) equipped with an automated driving system in |
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compliance with applicable federal law and federal motor vehicle |
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safety standards; |
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(4) equipped with the most recent software updates |
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released by the manufacturer of the automated motor vehicle and |
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automated driving system; |
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(5) equipped with a failure alert system that alerts |
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the owner of the vehicle to a failure of the automated driving |
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system; |
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(6) registered and titled in accordance with the laws |
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of this state; and |
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(7) [(5)] covered by motor vehicle liability coverage |
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or self-insurance in an amount equal to the amount of coverage that |
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is required under the laws of this state. |
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SECTION 3. Section 548.051(a), Transportation Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) A motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or |
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mobile home, registered in this state, must have the following |
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items inspected at an inspection station or by an inspector: |
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(1) tires; |
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(2) wheel assembly; |
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(3) safety guards or flaps, if required by Section |
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547.606; |
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(4) brake system, including power brake unit; |
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(5) steering system, including power steering; |
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(6) lighting equipment; |
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(7) horns and warning devices; |
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(8) mirrors; |
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(9) windshield wipers; |
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(10) sunscreening devices, unless the vehicle is |
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exempt from sunscreen device restrictions under Section 547.613; |
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(11) front seat belts in vehicles on which seat belt |
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anchorages were part of the manufacturer's original equipment; |
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(12) exhaust system; |
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(13) exhaust emission system; |
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(14) fuel tank cap, using pressurized testing |
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equipment approved by department rule; [and] |
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(15) emissions control equipment as designated by |
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department rule; and |
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(16) if the vehicle is an automated motor vehicle as |
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defined by Section 545.451: |
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(A) automated driving system; and |
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(B) failure alert system as required by Section |
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545.454(b)(5). |
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SECTION 4. (a) As soon as practicable after the effective |
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date of this Act, the Department of Public Safety shall adopt rules |
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governing the inspection of automated driving systems and failure |
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alert systems, as required by Section 548.051(a)(16), |
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Transportation Code, as added by this Act. |
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(b) The changes in law made by this Act to Section |
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548.051(a), Transportation Code, apply only to a vehicle inspected |
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on or after September 1, 2020. |
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SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |