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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas Department |
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of Motor Vehicles and to the operations of certain other entities |
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performing functions associated with the department. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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ARTICLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS |
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SECTION 1.01. Section 1001.005, Transportation Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 1001.005. SUNSET PROVISION. The department is subject |
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to Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset Act). Unless |
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continued in existence as provided by that chapter, the department |
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is abolished September 1, 2031 [2019]. |
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SECTION 1.02. Section 1001.023(a), Transportation Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) The governor shall appoint one of the public members of |
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the board to serve as [board's members] chair of the board. The |
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chair serves at the pleasure of the governor. The board shall elect |
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one of its members vice chair of the board. The vice chair serves at |
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the pleasure of the board. |
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SECTION 1.03. Section 1001.030, Transportation Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 1001.030. BOARD MEMBER TRAINING [ON DEPARTMENT AND
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CERTAIN LAWS RELATING TO DEPARTMENT]. (a) A [To be eligible to
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take office as a member of the board, a] person who is appointed to |
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and qualifies for office as a member of |
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deliberate, or be counted as a member in attendance at a meeting |
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of the board until the person completes |
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one course of
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section. |
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(b) The training program must provide the person with |
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information [to the person] regarding: |
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(1) the law governing department operations [this
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subchapter]; |
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(2) the board's programs, functions, and rules and the |
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budget of [operated by] the department; |
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(3) the scope of and limitations on the rulemaking |
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authority [role and functions] of the board [department]; |
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(4) the types of board rules, interpretations, and |
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enforcement actions that may implicate federal antitrust law by |
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limiting competition or impacting prices charged by persons engaged |
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in a profession or business the board regulates, including any |
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rule, interpretation, or enforcement action that: |
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(A) regulates the scope of practice of persons in |
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a profession or business the board regulates; |
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(B) restricts advertising by persons in a |
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profession or business the board regulates; |
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(C) affects the price of goods or services |
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provided by persons in a profession or business the board |
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regulates; or |
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(D) restricts participation in a profession or |
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business the board regulates [rules of the department with an
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emphasis on the rules that relate to disciplinary and investigatory
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authority]; |
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(5) [the current budget for the department;
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[(6)] the results of the most recent formal audit of |
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the department; |
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(6) [(7)] the requirements of [the]: |
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(A) laws relating to open meetings, public |
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information, [law, Chapter 551, Government Code;
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[(B)
open records law, Chapter 552, Government
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Code; and
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[(C)] administrative procedure [law], and |
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disclosure of conflicts of interest; and |
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(B) other laws applicable to members of the board |
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in performing their duties [Chapter 2001, Government Code;
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[(8)
the requirements of the conflict of interest laws
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and other laws relating to public officials]; and |
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(7) [(9)] any applicable ethics policies adopted by |
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the department [board] or the Texas Ethics Commission. |
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(c) A person appointed to the board is entitled to |
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reimbursement, as provided by the General Appropriations Act, for |
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the travel expenses incurred in attending the training program, |
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regardless of whether the attendance at the program occurs before |
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or after [as provided by the General Appropriations Act and as if] |
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the person qualifies for office [were a member of the board]. |
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(d) The executive director shall create a training manual |
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that includes the information required by Subsection (b). The |
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executive director shall distribute a copy of the training manual |
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annually to each member of the board. Each member of the board |
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shall sign and submit to the executive director a statement |
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acknowledging that the member received and has reviewed the |
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training manual. |
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SECTION 1.04. Section 1001.041(a), Transportation Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) Subject to the General Appropriations Act or other law, |
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the executive director shall appoint deputies, assistants, and |
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other personnel, including a general counsel, as necessary to carry |
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out the powers and duties of the department under this code, other |
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applicable vehicle laws of this state, and other laws granting |
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jurisdiction or applicable to the department. |
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SECTION 1.05. Section 1001.0411, Transportation Code, is |
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amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows: |
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(c) In accordance with Section 1001.041(a), the executive |
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director shall hire and oversee a general counsel to advise the |
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department. |
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SECTION 1.06. Section 1001.042, Transportation Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 1001.042. DIVISION OF RESPONSIBILITIES. The board |
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shall develop and implement policies that clearly separate [define] |
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the policy-making responsibilities of the board and the management |
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[respective] responsibilities of the executive director, including |
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the appointment of department staff, and the staff of the |
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department. |
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SECTION 1.07. Chapter 1003, Transportation Code, is amended |
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by adding Sections 1003.0055 and 1003.008 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 1003.0055. COMPLAINTS. (a) The department shall |
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maintain a system to promptly and efficiently act on complaints |
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filed with the department. The department shall maintain |
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information about parties to and the subject matter of the |
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complaint and a summary of the results of the review or |
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investigation of the complaint and the disposition of the |
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complaint. |
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(b) The department shall make information available |
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describing its procedures for complaint investigation and |
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resolution. |
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(c) The department shall periodically notify the parties to |
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the complaint of the status of the complaint until final |
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disposition. |
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Sec. 1003.008. NEGOTIATED RULEMAKING AND ALTERNATIVE |
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DISPUTE RESOLUTION POLICY. (a) The board shall develop and |
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implement a policy to encourage the use of: |
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(1) negotiated rulemaking procedures under Chapter |
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2008, Government Code, for the adoption of department rules; and |
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(2) appropriate alternative dispute resolution |
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procedures under Chapter 2009, Government Code, to assist in the |
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resolution of internal and external disputes under the department's |
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jurisdiction. |
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(b) The department's procedures relating to alternative |
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dispute resolution must conform, to the extent possible, to any |
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model guidelines issued by the State Office of Administrative |
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Hearings for the use of alternative dispute resolution by state |
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agencies. |
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(c) The department shall: |
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(1) coordinate the implementation of the policy |
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developed under Subsection (a); |
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(2) provide training as needed to implement the |
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procedures for negotiated rulemaking or alternative dispute |
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resolution; and |
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(3) collect data concerning the effectiveness of those |
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procedures. |
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SECTION 1.08. The following provisions are repealed: |
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(1) Section 2110.002(c), Government Code; and |
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(2) Section 1001.031(a-1), Transportation Code. |
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SECTION 1.09. If the chair of the board of the Texas |
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Department of Motor Vehicles is not a public member as required by |
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Section 1001.023(a), Transportation Code, as amended by this Act, |
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the governor shall designate a public member of that board to serve |
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as chair not later than December 1, 2019. |
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SECTION 1.10. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of |
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this section, Section 1001.030, Transportation Code, as amended by |
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this Act, applies to a member of the board of the Texas Department |
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of Motor Vehicles who is appointed before, on, or after the |
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effective date of this Act. |
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(b) A member of the board of the Texas Department of Motor |
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Vehicles who, before the effective date of this Act, completed the |
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training program required by Section 1001.030, Transportation |
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Code, as that law existed before the effective date of this Act, is |
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required to complete additional training only on subjects added by |
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this Act to the training program as required by Section 1001.030, |
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Transportation Code, as amended by this Act. A board member |
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described by this subsection may not vote, deliberate, or be |
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counted as a member in attendance at a meeting of the board held on |
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or after December 1, 2019, until the member completes the |
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additional training. |
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ARTICLE 2. LICENSING |
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SECTION 2.01. Section 2301.203(c), Occupations Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(c) Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, the |
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[The] board may not file a complaint alleging a violation of this |
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chapter or a board rule relating to advertising until the board has |
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notified the license holder involved of the alleged violation and |
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given the license holder an opportunity to cure the violation |
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without further proceedings or liability. If the board has |
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previously given a license holder notice and an opportunity to cure |
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any violation of this chapter or a board rule relating to |
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advertising as provided by this subsection, the board may file a |
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complaint alleging a subsequent violation of this chapter or a |
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board rule relating to advertising after the board has notified the |
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license holder involved of the alleged violation. |
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SECTION 2.02. Section 2301.251(a), Occupations Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) Unless a person holds a license issued under this |
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chapter authorizing the activity, the person may not: |
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(1) engage in business as, serve in the capacity of, or |
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act as a dealer, manufacturer, distributor, converter, |
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[representative,] vehicle lessor, or vehicle lease facilitator in |
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this state; or |
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(2) perform or offer to perform repair services on a |
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motor vehicle under a franchise and a motor vehicle manufacturer's |
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warranty, regardless of whether the person sells or offers to sell |
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motor vehicles at the same location. |
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SECTION 2.03. Section 2301.258, Occupations Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 2301.258. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICATION FOR |
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MANUFACTURER'S, DISTRIBUTOR'S, OR CONVERTER'S[, OR
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REPRESENTATIVE'S] LICENSE. An application for a manufacturer's, |
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distributor's, or converter's[, or representative's] license must |
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be on a form prescribed by the department. The application must |
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include information the department determines necessary to fully |
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determine the qualifications of an applicant, including financial |
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resources, business integrity and experience, facilities and |
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personnel for serving franchised dealers, and other information the |
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department determines pertinent to safeguard the public interest |
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and welfare. |
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SECTION 2.04. Section 2301.264(a), Occupations Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) The annual fees for a license issued under this chapter |
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are: |
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(1) $900 for a manufacturer or distributor, plus $20 |
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for each dealer franchised by the manufacturer or distributor; |
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(2) for a franchised dealer: |
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(A) $175, if the dealer sold fewer than 201 new |
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motor vehicles during the preceding calendar year; |
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(B) $275, if the dealer sold more than 200 but |
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fewer than 401 new motor vehicles during the preceding calendar |
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year; |
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(C) $400, if the dealer sold more than 400 but |
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fewer than 801 new motor vehicles during the preceding calendar |
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year; |
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(D) $500, if the dealer sold more than 800 but |
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fewer than 1,201 new motor vehicles during the preceding calendar |
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year; |
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(E) $625, if the dealer sold more than 1,200 but |
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fewer than 1,601 new motor vehicles during the preceding calendar |
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year; |
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(F) $750, if the dealer sold more than 1,600 new |
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motor vehicles during the preceding calendar year; and |
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(G) $100 for each location separate from the |
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dealership at which the dealer does not offer motor vehicles for |
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sale but performs warranty service work on vehicles the dealer is |
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franchised and licensed to sell; |
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(3) [$100 for a representative;
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[(4)] $375 for a converter; |
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(4) [(5)] for a vehicle lessor: |
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(A) $175, if the lessor leased 200 or fewer motor |
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vehicles during the preceding calendar year; |
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(B) $275, if the lessor leased more than 200 but |
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fewer than 401 motor vehicles during the preceding calendar year; |
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(C) $400, if the lessor leased more than 400 but |
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fewer than 801 motor vehicles during the preceding calendar year; |
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(D) $500, if the lessor leased more than 800 but |
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fewer than 1,201 motor vehicles during the preceding calendar year; |
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(E) $625, if the lessor leased more than 1,200 |
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but fewer than 1,601 motor vehicles during the preceding calendar |
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year; and |
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(F) $750, if the lessor leased more than 1,600 |
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motor vehicles during the preceding calendar year; and |
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(5) [(6)] $375 for a vehicle lease facilitator. |
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SECTION 2.05. Section 2301.304, Occupations Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 2301.304. PROCEDURE FOR RENEWAL OF CERTAIN LICENSES. |
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The holder of a manufacturer's, distributor's, or converter's[, or
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representative's] license may apply for a renewal of the license by |
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complying with the application process specified by this chapter |
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and board rule. |
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SECTION 2.06. Section 2301.358(c), Occupations Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(c) This section does not prohibit the sale of a towable |
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recreational vehicle, motor home, ambulance, fire-fighting |
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vehicle, or tow truck at a show or exhibition if: |
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(1) the [show or exhibition is approved by the] |
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department receives written notice of the show or exhibition before |
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the date the show or exhibition opens; and |
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(2) the sale is not otherwise prohibited by law. |
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SECTION 2.07. Section 2301.709, Occupations Code, is |
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amended by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows: |
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(d) The board shall adopt rules and policies that establish |
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standards for reviewing a case under this subchapter. The rules and |
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policies must: |
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(1) specify the role of division personnel in managing |
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contested cases before the board or a person delegated power from |
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the board under Section 2301.154, including advising on procedural |
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matters; |
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(2) specify appropriate conduct and discussion by the |
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board or a person delegated power from the board under Section |
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2301.154 regarding proposals for decision issued by administrative |
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law judges; |
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(3) specify clear expectations limiting arguments and |
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discussion under Subsection (b) to evidence in the record of the |
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contested case hearing held by the administrative law judge; |
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(4) address ex parte communications; and |
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(5) distinguish between using industry expertise and |
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representing or advocating for an industry when reviewing a case |
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under this subchapter. |
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SECTION 2.08. Subchapter Q, Chapter 2301, Occupations Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 2301.807 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 2301.807. REFUND. If, after a proceeding under this |
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chapter and board rules, the board determines that a person is |
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violating or has violated this chapter or a rule adopted or order |
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issued under this chapter, the board may order the person to pay a |
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refund to the buyer or lessee of the motor vehicle that is the |
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subject of the proceeding. |
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SECTION 2.09. Section 2302.101, Occupations Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 2302.101. [LICENSE REQUIRED FOR] SALVAGE VEHICLE |
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DEALER LICENSE. (a) Unless a person holds a salvage vehicle |
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dealer license issued under this chapter, the person may not: |
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(1) act as a salvage vehicle dealer or rebuilder; or |
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(2) store or display a motor vehicle as an agent or |
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escrow agent of an insurance company. |
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(b) A person who holds a salvage vehicle dealer license |
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issued under this chapter may perform any of the activities of a |
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salvage vehicle dealer, including: |
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(1) buying salvage motor vehicles and nonrepairable |
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motor vehicles or selling salvage motor vehicles and nonrepairable |
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motor vehicles that have been issued a salvage vehicle title or |
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nonrepairable vehicle title, as appropriate; |
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(2) engaging in the business of selling nonrepairable |
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motor vehicles or salvage motor vehicles at auction, including |
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wholesale auction; |
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(3) offering or negotiating to sell or buy salvage |
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motor vehicles or nonrepairable motor vehicles owned by a license |
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holder and to be purchased or sold by another license holder; |
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(4) acting as the agent or representative of a license |
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holder in performing an act described by Subdivision (3); and |
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(5) acquiring and repairing, rebuilding, or |
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reconstructing for operation on a public highway more than five |
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salvage motor vehicles in a calendar year. |
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SECTION 2.10. Section 2302.103, Occupations Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 2302.103. APPLICATION FOR SALVAGE VEHICLE DEALER |
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LICENSE. [(a)] To apply for a salvage vehicle dealer license, a |
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person must submit to the department an application on a form |
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prescribed by the department and the application fee. |
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[(b)
An applicant may apply for a salvage vehicle dealer
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license with an endorsement in one or more of the following
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classifications:
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[(1) new automobile dealer;
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[(2) used automobile dealer;
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[(3) salvage pool operator;
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[(4) salvage vehicle broker; or
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[(5) salvage vehicle rebuilder.] |
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SECTION 2.11. Section 2302.151, Occupations Code, is |
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amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c) to |
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read as follows: |
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(a) A license issued under this chapter is valid for the |
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period prescribed by the board [expires on the first anniversary of
|
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the date of issuance]. |
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(c) If the board prescribes the term of a license under this |
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chapter for a period other than one year, the board shall prorate |
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the applicable fee required under this chapter as necessary to |
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reflect the term of the license. |
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SECTION 2.12. Section 2302.351(b), Occupations Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(b) If a salvage vehicle dealer or[,] an employee of the |
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dealer acting in the course of employment[, or a salvage vehicle
|
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agent operating under the dealer's license] is convicted of more |
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than one offense under Section 2302.353(a), the district attorney |
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for a county in which the dealer's salvage business is located may |
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bring an action in that county to enjoin the dealer's business |
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operations for a period of at least one year. |
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SECTION 2.13. Subchapter H, Chapter 2302, Occupations Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 2302.355 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 2302.355. CEASE AND DESIST ORDER. If it appears to the |
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board that a person who is not licensed under this chapter is |
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violating this chapter or a rule or order adopted under this |
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chapter, the board, after notice and opportunity for a hearing, may |
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issue a cease and desist order prohibiting the person from engaging |
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in the activity. |
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SECTION 2.14. Section 503.029, Transportation Code, is |
|
amended by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows: |
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(d) The department by rule shall: |
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(1) establish education and training requirements, to |
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be provided by an education and training program approved by the |
|
department, for an applicant for an original or renewal general |
|
distinguishing number who proposes to be an independent motor |
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vehicle dealer; and |
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(2) require the applicant under Subdivision (1) to |
|
establish that the applicant completed the education and training |
|
required under that subdivision. |
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SECTION 2.15. Subchapter F, Chapter 643, Transportation |
|
Code, is amended by adding Section 643.257 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 643.257. REFUND BY MOTOR CARRIERS TRANSPORTING |
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HOUSEHOLD GOODS. The department may order a motor carrier that |
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violates this chapter or a rule or order adopted under this chapter |
|
to pay a refund to a consumer who paid the motor carrier to |
|
transport household goods. |
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SECTION 2.16. Sections 2301.264(c), 2301.358(a), |
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2302.001(6), 2302.102, and 2302.107, Occupations Code, are |
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repealed. |
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SECTION 2.17. (a) The changes in law made by this Act to |
|
Chapters 2301 and 2302, Occupations Code, do not affect the |
|
validity of a proceeding pending before a court or other |
|
governmental entity on the effective date of this Act. |
|
(b) An offense or other violation of law committed before |
|
the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect when |
|
the offense or violation was committed, and the former law is |
|
continued in effect for that purpose. For purposes of this |
|
subsection, an offense or violation was committed before the |
|
effective date of this Act if any element of the offense or |
|
violation occurred before that date. |
|
(c) On the effective date of this Act, a representative's |
|
license issued under Chapter 2301, Occupations Code, as that law |
|
existed immediately before the effective date of this Act, expires. |
|
(d) On the effective date of this Act, a salvage vehicle |
|
agent license issued under former Section 2302.107, Occupations |
|
Code, expires. |
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(e) Section 2302.151(a), Occupations Code, as amended by |
|
this Act, applies only to a license issued or renewed on or after |
|
September 1, 2019. A license issued or renewed before that date is |
|
governed by the law in effect immediately before the effective date |
|
of this Act, and the former law is continued in effect for that |
|
purpose. |
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ARTICLE 3. REGISTRATION AND TITLING |
|
SECTION 3.01. Section 520.004, Transportation Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 520.004. DEPARTMENT RESPONSIBILITIES. The department |
|
has jurisdiction over the registration and titling of, and the |
|
issuance of license plates to, motor vehicles in compliance with |
|
the applicable statutes. The department by rule: |
|
(1) shall provide services that are reasonable, |
|
adequate, and efficient; |
|
(2) shall establish standards for uniformity and |
|
service quality for counties and dealers licensed under Section |
|
520.005; [and] |
|
(3) may conduct public service education campaigns |
|
related to the department's functions; and |
|
(4) shall establish a risk-based system of monitoring |
|
and preventing fraudulent activity related to vehicle registration |
|
and titling in order to efficiently allocate resources and |
|
personnel. |
|
SECTION 3.02. Section 520.005, Transportation Code, is |
|
amended by adding Subsection (e) to read as follows: |
|
(e) Each county assessor-collector shall make available to |
|
motor vehicle dealers the electronic system designed by the |
|
department that allows a motor vehicle dealer to submit a title and |
|
registration application online in the name of the purchaser of a |
|
motor vehicle. |
|
SECTION 3.03. Subchapter A, Chapter 520, Transportation |
|
Code, is amended by adding Sections 520.0075, 520.010, and 520.011 |
|
to read as follows: |
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Sec. 520.0075. CONTRACTING STANDARDS FOR TAX |
|
ASSESSOR-COLLECTOR. (a) In this section, "deputy" means a deputy |
|
classified as a full service deputy by a board rule adopted under |
|
Section 520.0071. |
|
(b) Notwithstanding Section 262.023, Local Government Code, |
|
a county tax assessor-collector who awards a contract to a deputy |
|
for the performance of registration and titling services must |
|
comply with standard state contracting practices as if the county |
|
tax assessor-collector were a state agency, including requirements |
|
related to: |
|
(1) purchase methods and competitive bidding under |
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Sections 2155.062 and 2155.063, Government Code; |
|
(2) determining the best value for the county under |
|
Sections 2155.074, 2155.075, and 2155.0755, Government Code; |
|
(3) contracting standards and oversight under Chapter |
|
2261, Government Code; and |
|
(4) contract management under Chapter 2262, |
|
Government Code. |
|
(c) A contract described by Subsection (b) must: |
|
(1) specify an expiration date and renewal or |
|
extension terms for the contract; and |
|
(2) include performance criteria and measures |
|
necessary to evaluate the performance of the deputy under the |
|
contract. |
|
(d) A county tax assessor-collector shall monitor and |
|
evaluate the performance of a deputy awarded a contract described |
|
by this section and use that information in determining whether to |
|
renew or extend the contract or award a new contract. |
|
Sec. 520.010. AUDIT AND INVESTIGATION RELATED TO |
|
REGISTRATION AND TITLING SERVICES. (a) The department may: |
|
(1) audit or perform a compliance review of a person |
|
performing registration or titling services; |
|
(2) investigate any provision of state functions |
|
related to registration or titling; and |
|
(3) access any records needed to conduct the audit, |
|
compliance review, or investigation. |
|
(b) A county tax assessor-collector may: |
|
(1) audit, perform a compliance review of, or |
|
investigate a person providing registration or titling services in |
|
the county in which the assessor-collector is located; and |
|
(2) access any records needed to conduct the audit, |
|
compliance review, or investigation. |
|
(c) The department's authority under Subsection (a) is not |
|
limited by a similar audit, compliance review, or investigation |
|
conducted by a county tax assessor-collector under Subsection (b). |
|
Sec. 520.011. AUDIT OF COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR-COLLECTOR. The |
|
comptroller, in coordination with the department, may include, as |
|
part of the comptroller's regular audits of state revenue |
|
collection by county tax assessor-collector offices, the review of |
|
processes relating to a county's collection and remittance of |
|
revenue included in an audit. |
|
SECTION 3.04. Chapter 520, Transportation Code, is amended |
|
by adding Subchapter C to read as follows: |
|
SUBCHAPTER C. AUTOMATED REGISTRATION AND TITLING SYSTEM |
|
Sec. 520.021. RULES AND POLICIES. The department may adopt |
|
rules and policies for the maintenance and use of the department's |
|
automated registration and titling system. |
|
Sec. 520.022. ACCESS TO SYSTEM. The department has the sole |
|
authority to determine access to the department's automated |
|
registration and titling system. |
|
Sec. 520.023. TRAINING. (a) The department shall |
|
implement a training program providing information on the: |
|
(1) department's automated registration and titling |
|
system; and |
|
(2) identification of fraudulent activity related to |
|
vehicle registration and titling. |
|
(b) The department shall require a person performing |
|
registration or titling services to complete the training under |
|
Subsection (a). |
|
SECTION 3.05. (a) Each county tax assessor-collector who |
|
has, before the effective date of this Act, entered into a contract |
|
described by Section 520.0075, Transportation Code, as added by |
|
this Act, shall rebid the contract using the contracting standards |
|
provided under that section not later than March 31, 2020. |
|
(b) In order to assist a county tax assessor-collector in |
|
the rebidding of contracts under Subsection (a) of this section, |
|
the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles shall provide guidance and |
|
recommendations on contracting practices to the county tax |
|
assessor-collector. |
|
SECTION 3.06. Not later than December 1, 2019, the Texas |
|
Department of Motor Vehicles shall adopt rules to implement the |
|
training program required by Section 520.023, Transportation Code, |
|
as added by this Act. |
|
SECTION 3.07. Not later than March 1, 2020, the Texas |
|
Department of Motor Vehicles shall, in coordination with county tax |
|
assessor-collectors and in accordance with Subchapter C, Chapter |
|
520, Transportation Code, as added by this Act, develop, adopt, and |
|
implement rules that create clear criteria for the suspension or |
|
denial of access to the department's automated registration and |
|
titling system if a county tax assessor-collector suspects abuse, |
|
fraud, or waste relating to the system by an employee of the |
|
assessor-collector's or a person deputized under Section 520.0071, |
|
Transportation Code. |
|
SECTION 3.08. Not later than September 1, 2020, each county |
|
tax assessor-collector shall make available the electronic system |
|
to motor vehicle dealers as required by Section 520.005(e), |
|
Transportation Code, as added by this Act. |
|
ARTICLE 4. MOTOR VEHICLE CRIME PREVENTION AUTHORITY |
|
SECTION 4.01. Subtitle M, Title 7, Transportation Code, is |
|
amended by adding Chapter 1006, and a heading is added to that |
|
chapter to read as follows: |
|
CHAPTER 1006. MOTOR VEHICLE CRIME PREVENTION AUTHORITY |
|
SECTION 4.02. Chapter 1006, Transportation Code, as added |
|
by this Act, is amended by adding Subchapter A, and a heading is |
|
added to that subchapter to read as follows: |
|
SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS |
|
SECTION 4.03. Section 1, Article 4413(37), Revised |
|
Statutes, as amended by Chapters 308 (H.B. 1887) and 927 (H.B. |
|
3225), Acts of the 80th Legislature, Regular Session, 2007, is |
|
transferred to Subchapter A, Chapter 1006, Transportation Code, as |
|
added by this Act, redesignated as Section 1006.001, Transportation |
|
Code, reenacted, and amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 1006.001 [1]. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter [article]: |
|
(1) "Authority" means the Motor Vehicle Crime |
|
[Automobile Burglary and Theft] Prevention Authority. |
|
(2) "Economic motor vehicle theft" means motor vehicle |
|
burglary or theft committed for financial gain. |
|
(3) "Insurer" means any insurance company writing any |
|
form of motor vehicle insurance in this state, including an |
|
interinsurance or reciprocal exchange, mutual company, mutual |
|
association, or Lloyd's plan ["Department" means the Texas
|
|
Department of Motor Vehicles]. |
|
(4) ["Director" means the executive director of the
|
|
Texas Department of Transportation.
|
|
[(5)] "Motor vehicle" means a self-propelled vehicle |
|
or a vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer designed for use with a |
|
self-propelled vehicle. The term does not include a vehicle that |
|
runs exclusively on fixed rails or tracks or a piece of equipment |
|
operated solely on private property. |
|
(5) "Motor vehicle burglary or theft" includes |
|
economic motor vehicle theft. |
|
SECTION 4.04. Section 2, Article 4413(37), Revised |
|
Statutes, is transferred to Subchapter A, Chapter 1006, |
|
Transportation Code, as added by this Act, redesignated as Section |
|
1006.002, Transportation Code, and amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 1006.002 [2]. ESTABLISHMENT. The Motor Vehicle Crime |
|
[Automobile Burglary and Theft] Prevention Authority is |
|
established in the department [Texas Department of Motor Vehicles]. |
|
The authority is not an advisory body to the department [Texas
|
|
Department of Motor Vehicles]. |
|
SECTION 4.05. Chapter 1006, Transportation Code, as added |
|
by this Act, is amended by adding Subchapter B, and a heading is |
|
added to that subchapter to read as follows: |
|
SUBCHAPTER B. COMPOSITION AND ADMINISTRATION |
|
SECTION 4.06. Sections 3(a), (b), (c), (d), (i), (j), and |
|
(k), Article 4413(37), Revised Statutes, are transferred to |
|
Subchapter B, Chapter 1006, Transportation Code, as added by this |
|
Act, redesignated as Sections 1006.051 and 1006.052, |
|
Transportation Code, and amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 1006.051. AUTHORITY MEMBERSHIP. (a) The authority is |
|
composed of seven members. |
|
(b) The governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, |
|
shall appoint the following six members: |
|
(1) two representatives of motor vehicle insurance |
|
consumers; |
|
(2) two representatives of insurance companies |
|
writing motor vehicle insurance in this state; and |
|
(3) two representatives of law enforcement. |
|
(c) The public safety director of the Department of Public |
|
Safety or the director's designee serves ex officio as the seventh |
|
member of the authority. |
|
(d) Appointments to the authority shall be made without |
|
regard to race, color, disability, sex, religion, age, or national |
|
origin of the appointees. |
|
Sec. 1006.052. ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS. (a) [(i)] A |
|
person is not eligible for appointment as a representative of motor |
|
vehicle insurance consumers under Section 1006.051(b)(1) |
|
[Subsection (b)(1) of this section] if the person or the person's |
|
spouse: |
|
(1) is registered, certified, or licensed by an |
|
occupational regulatory agency in the field of motor vehicle |
|
insurance or law enforcement; |
|
(2) is an officer, employee, or paid consultant of a |
|
Texas trade association in the field of motor vehicle insurance or |
|
law enforcement; |
|
(3) is employed by or participates in the management |
|
of a business entity or other organization receiving funds from the |
|
authority; |
|
(4) owns or controls, directly or indirectly, more |
|
than a 10 percent [10-percent] interest in a business entity or |
|
other organization receiving funds from the authority; or |
|
(5) uses or receives a substantial amount of tangible |
|
goods, services, or funds from the authority, other than |
|
reimbursement authorized by law for service on the board of the |
|
authority. |
|
(b) [(j)] For purposes of Subsection (a)(2) [(i)(2) of this
|
|
section], "[a] Texas trade association" means [is] a nonprofit, |
|
cooperative, and voluntarily joined association of business or |
|
professional competitors in this state designed to assist the |
|
association's [its] members and the members' [its] industry or |
|
profession in dealing with mutual business or professional problems |
|
and in promoting the members' [their] common interest. |
|
(c) [(k)] A person may not serve as a member of the |
|
authority [or act as the general counsel to the authority] if the |
|
person is required to register as a lobbyist under Chapter 305, |
|
Government Code, because of the person's activities for |
|
compensation on behalf of a profession related to [law enforcement
|
|
or] motor vehicle insurance or law enforcement. |
|
SECTION 4.07. Section 3(e), Article 4413(37), Revised |
|
Statutes, is transferred to Subchapter B, Chapter 1006, |
|
Transportation Code, as added by this Act, redesignated as Section |
|
1006.053, Transportation Code, and amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 1006.053. TERM OF OFFICE; VACANCY. (a) [(e)] The six |
|
members of the authority appointed by the governor serve staggered |
|
six-year terms, with the terms of two members expiring February 1 of |
|
each odd-numbered year. |
|
(b) If there is a vacancy during a term, the governor shall |
|
appoint a replacement who meets the requirements of the vacant |
|
office to fill the unexpired term. |
|
SECTION 4.08. Section 5(a), Article 4413(37), Revised |
|
Statutes, is transferred to Subchapter B, Chapter 1006, |
|
Transportation Code, as added by this Act, redesignated as Section |
|
1006.054, Transportation Code, and amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 1006.054. PRESIDING OFFICER. [(a)] The governor |
|
shall designate a member of the authority as the presiding officer |
|
of the authority to serve in that capacity at the pleasure of the |
|
governor. |
|
SECTION 4.09. Sections 3(f), (g), (h), and (l), Article |
|
4413(37), Revised Statutes, are transferred to Subchapter B, |
|
Chapter 1006, Transportation Code, as added by this Act, |
|
redesignated as Sections 1006.055 and 1006.056, Transportation |
|
Code, and amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 1006.055. GROUNDS FOR REMOVAL. (a) [(f)] It is a |
|
ground for removal from the authority if a member: |
|
(1) does not have at the time of appointment the |
|
qualifications required by Section 1006.051(b) [Subsection (b)] or |
|
is disqualified under Section 1006.052 [Subsection (i) or (k) of
|
|
this section]; |
|
(2) does not maintain during service on the authority |
|
the qualifications required by Section 1006.051(b) [Subsection
|
|
(b)] or becomes disqualified under Section 1006.052 [Subsection (i)
|
|
or (k) of this section]; |
|
(3) cannot, because of illness or disability, |
|
discharge the member's duties for a substantial part of the member's |
|
term [for which the member is appointed]; or |
|
(4) is absent from more than half of the regularly |
|
scheduled authority meetings that the member is eligible to attend |
|
during a calendar year. |
|
(b) [(g)] The validity of an action of the authority is not |
|
affected by the fact that it is taken when a ground for removal of a |
|
member of the authority exists. |
|
(c) [(h)] If the executive director has knowledge that a |
|
potential ground for removal exists, the executive director shall |
|
notify the presiding officer of the authority of the potential |
|
ground. The presiding officer shall then notify the governor and |
|
the attorney general that a potential ground for removal exists. If |
|
the potential ground for removal involves the presiding officer, |
|
the executive director shall notify the next highest officer of the |
|
authority, who shall notify the governor and the attorney general |
|
that a potential ground for removal exists. |
|
Sec. 1006.056. INFORMATION ON QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDUCT. |
|
[(l)] The executive director or the executive director's designee |
|
shall provide to members of the authority, as often as necessary, |
|
information regarding the members' [their] qualifications for |
|
office under this chapter [article] and their responsibilities |
|
under applicable laws relating to standards of conduct for state |
|
officers. |
|
SECTION 4.10. Sections 5(c), (d), and (e), Article |
|
4413(37), Revised Statutes, are transferred to Subchapter B, |
|
Chapter 1006, Transportation Code, as added by this Act, |
|
redesignated as Section 1006.057, Transportation Code, and amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 1006.057. MEMBER TRAINING. (a) A [(c)
To be eligible
|
|
to take office as a member of the authority, a] person who is |
|
appointed to and qualifies for office as a member of the authority |
|
may not vote, deliberate, or be counted as a member in attendance at |
|
a meeting of the authority until the person completes [must
|
|
complete at least one course of] a training program that complies |
|
with this section [Subsection (d)]. |
|
(b) [(d)] The training program [required by Subsection (c)] |
|
must provide the person with information [to the person] regarding: |
|
(1) the law governing authority operations [enabling
|
|
legislation that created the authority and its policymaking body to
|
|
which the member is appointed to serve]; |
|
(2) the programs, functions, rules, and budget of |
|
[operated by] the authority; |
|
(3) the scope of and limitations on the rulemaking |
|
authority [role and functions] of the authority; |
|
(4) [the rules of the authority and the department;
|
|
[(5) the current budget for the authority;
|
|
[(6)] the results of the most recent formal audit of |
|
the authority; |
|
(5) [(7)] the requirements of [the]: |
|
(A) laws relating to open meetings, public |
|
information, [law, Chapter 551, Government Code;
|
|
[(B)
open records law, Chapter 552, Government
|
|
Code; and
|
|
[(C)] administrative procedure [law], and |
|
disclosure of conflicts of interest; and |
|
(B) other laws applicable to members of the |
|
authority in performing their duties [Chapter 2001, Government
|
|
Code;
|
|
[(8)
the requirements of the conflict-of-interest
|
|
laws and other laws relating to public officials]; and |
|
(6) [(9)] any applicable ethics policies adopted by |
|
the department or the Texas Ethics Commission. |
|
(c) [(e)] A person appointed to the authority is entitled to |
|
reimbursement, as provided by the General Appropriations Act, for |
|
the travel expenses incurred in attending the training program, |
|
regardless of whether the attendance at the program occurs before |
|
or after [required by Subsection (c) as provided by the General
|
|
Appropriations Act and as if] the person qualifies for office [were
|
|
a member of the authority]. |
|
(d) The executive director shall create a training manual |
|
that includes the information required by Subsection (b). The |
|
executive director shall distribute a copy of the training manual |
|
annually to each member of the authority. Each member of the |
|
authority shall sign and submit to the executive director a |
|
statement acknowledging that the member received and has reviewed |
|
the training manual. |
|
SECTION 4.11. Section 4, Article 4413(37), Revised |
|
Statutes, is transferred to Subchapter B, Chapter 1006, |
|
Transportation Code, as added by this Act, redesignated as Section |
|
1006.058, Transportation Code, and amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 1006.058 [4]. REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENSES. A member of |
|
the authority is not entitled to compensation for service on the |
|
authority but is entitled to reimbursement for expenses incurred in |
|
performing the member's duties at the rate provided by [in] the |
|
General Appropriations Act. |
|
SECTION 4.12. Sections 6(e), (f), and (g), Article |
|
4413(37), Revised Statutes, are transferred to Subchapter B, |
|
Chapter 1006, Transportation Code, as added by this Act, |
|
redesignated as Sections 1006.059 and 1006.060, Transportation |
|
Code, and amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 1006.059. PERSONNEL AND SERVICES. (a) [(e)] The |
|
authority may be provided various services only by or through the |
|
department as needed to carry out the authority's [its] purposes, |
|
powers, and duties. These services may include[, but are not
|
|
limited to,] legal services not provided by the attorney general, |
|
fiscal services, administrative services, and personnel services. |
|
[Except as provided by this section, the authority may enter into
|
|
contracts in its own name and on its own behalf with recipients of
|
|
grants for purposes of this article.] |
|
(b) [(f)] The department shall provide personnel and |
|
services to the authority as agreed by the authority and the |
|
department. |
|
Sec. 1006.060. DIVISION OF RESPONSIBILITIES. [(g)] The |
|
authority shall, in coordination with the department, develop and |
|
implement policies that clearly separate the policymaking |
|
responsibilities of the authority and the management |
|
responsibilities of the department. |
|
SECTION 4.13. Section 5(b), Article 4413(37), Revised |
|
Statutes, is transferred to Subchapter B, Chapter 1006, |
|
Transportation Code, as added by this Act, redesignated as Section |
|
1006.061, Transportation Code, and amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 1006.061. MEETINGS. [(b)] The authority shall meet |
|
at the call of the presiding officer [chairman] or at the call of |
|
four members. |
|
SECTION 4.14. Section 6(h), Article 4413(37), Revised |
|
Statutes, is transferred to Subchapter B, Chapter 1006, |
|
Transportation Code, as added by this Act, redesignated as Section |
|
1006.062, Transportation Code, and amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 1006.062. PUBLIC TESTIMONY. [(h)] The authority |
|
shall develop and implement policies that provide the public with a |
|
reasonable opportunity to appear before the authority and to speak |
|
on any issue under the [its] jurisdiction of the authority. |
|
SECTION 4.15. Subchapter B, Chapter 1006, Transportation |
|
Code, as added by this Act, is amended by adding Section 1006.063 to |
|
read as follows: |
|
Sec. 1006.063. LOBBYIST PROHIBITION: GENERAL COUNSEL. A |
|
person may not act as the general counsel to the authority if the |
|
person is required to register as a lobbyist under Chapter 305, |
|
Government Code, because of the person's activities for |
|
compensation on behalf of a profession related to motor vehicle |
|
insurance or law enforcement. |
|
SECTION 4.16. Chapter 1006, Transportation Code, as added |
|
by this Act, is amended by adding Subchapter C, and a heading is |
|
added to that subchapter to read as follows: |
|
SUBCHAPTER C. POWERS AND DUTIES |
|
SECTION 4.17. Sections 6(a), (b), (c), and (d), Article |
|
4413(37), Revised Statutes, are transferred to Subchapter C, |
|
Chapter 1006, Transportation Code, as added by this Act, |
|
redesignated as Section 1006.101, Transportation Code, and amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 1006.101. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) The |
|
authority shall adopt rules to implement the authority's [its] |
|
powers and duties. |
|
(b) The authority may solicit and accept gifts and grants. |
|
(c) The authority may only use [only] staff of the |
|
department and may delegate authority to the staff as needed. |
|
(d) Not later than April 1 of each year, the authority shall |
|
report on the authority's [its] activities to the lieutenant |
|
governor and the speaker of the house of representatives. |
|
SECTION 4.18. Section 7, Article 4413(37), Revised |
|
Statutes, as amended by Chapters 308 (H.B. 1887) and 927 (H.B. |
|
3225), Acts of the 80th Legislature, Regular Session, 2007, is |
|
transferred to Subchapter C, Chapter 1006, Transportation Code, as |
|
added by this Act, redesignated as Section 1006.102, Transportation |
|
Code, reenacted, and amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 1006.102 [7]. PLAN OF OPERATION. (a) The authority |
|
shall develop and implement a plan of operation. The plan of |
|
operation must be updated biennially and filed with the legislature |
|
not later than [on or before] December 1 of each even-numbered year. |
|
(b) The plan of operation must include: |
|
(1) an assessment of the scope of the problems of motor |
|
vehicle burglary or theft and fraud-related motor vehicle crime |
|
[economic motor vehicle theft], including particular areas of the |
|
state where the problems are greatest; |
|
(2) an analysis of various methods of combating the |
|
problems of motor vehicle burglary or theft and fraud-related motor |
|
vehicle crime [economic motor vehicle theft]; |
|
(3) a plan for providing financial support to combat |
|
motor vehicle burglary or theft and fraud-related motor vehicle |
|
crime [economic motor vehicle theft]; and |
|
(4) an estimate of the funds required to implement the |
|
plan of operation. |
|
SECTION 4.19. Section 12, Article 4413(37), Revised |
|
Statutes, is transferred to Subchapter C, Chapter 1006, |
|
Transportation Code, as added by this Act, redesignated as Section |
|
1006.103, Transportation Code, and amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 1006.103 [12]. ADVISORY COMMITTEES. (a) The |
|
authority may establish advisory committees to advise the authority |
|
[it] on any matter under the jurisdiction of the authority. |
|
(b) Section 2110.008, Government Code, does not apply to an |
|
advisory committee established under this section if the advisory |
|
committee is: |
|
(1) established for a specific and immediate need; and |
|
(2) dissolved before the first anniversary of the date |
|
the committee is created. |
|
(c) A member of an advisory committee may not be compensated |
|
by the authority for committee service but is entitled to |
|
reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the |
|
performance of committee service. |
|
SECTION 4.20. Chapter 1006, Transportation Code, as added |
|
by this Act, is amended by adding Subchapter D, and a heading is |
|
added to that subchapter to read as follows: |
|
SUBCHAPTER D. FINANCIAL PROVISIONS |
|
SECTION 4.21. Sections 6(j) and (k), Article 4413(37), |
|
Revised Statutes, are transferred to Subchapter D, Chapter 1006, |
|
Transportation Code, as added by this Act, redesignated as Section |
|
1006.151, Transportation Code, and amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 1006.151. GRANTS. (a) Subject to the requirements of |
|
this section, the authority may enter into contracts in the |
|
authority's own name and on the authority's own behalf with |
|
recipients of grants for purposes of this chapter. |
|
(b) [(j)] The authority shall: |
|
(1) develop and periodically update [use] standard |
|
performance measures for each category of grants provided by the |
|
authority for use in [order to] assessing [assess] grantee success |
|
in achieving the purposes of this chapter [article]; and |
|
(2) ensure that grants are used to help increase: |
|
(A) the recovery rate of stolen motor vehicles; |
|
(B) the clearance rate of: |
|
(i) motor vehicle burglaries and thefts; |
|
and |
|
(ii) fraud-related motor vehicle crimes; |
|
and |
|
(C) the number of persons arrested for motor |
|
vehicle burglary and theft and fraud-related motor vehicle crime. |
|
(c) [(k)] The authority shall allocate grant funds |
|
primarily based on the number of motor vehicles stolen in, or the |
|
motor vehicle burglary or theft rate across, and the number of |
|
fraud-related motor vehicle crimes committed in the state rather |
|
than based on geographic distribution. |
|
(d) The authority shall, in consultation with the |
|
department, annually update the performance measures developed |
|
under Subsection (b). |
|
SECTION 4.22. Sections 6A and 10, Article 4413(37), Revised |
|
Statutes, are transferred to Subchapter D, Chapter 1006, |
|
Transportation Code, as added by this Act, redesignated as Sections |
|
1006.152 and 1006.153, Transportation Code, and amended to read as |
|
follows: |
|
Sec. 1006.152 [6A]. REFUNDS [POWER TO REFUND]. (a) The |
|
authority may make determinations regarding the sufficiency of |
|
payments made by an ["]insurer[" (as defined under Section 10 of
|
|
this article)] of fees collected under [pursuant to] Section |
|
1006.153 [10 of this article]. |
|
(b) Pursuant to a [such] determination made under |
|
Subsection (a), the authority may: |
|
(1) notify the comptroller that payments made by an |
|
insurer are sufficient; and |
|
(2) request the comptroller to draw warrants on the |
|
funds available to the authority for the purpose of refunding money |
|
[monies] to an insurer. |
|
(c) The authority shall make the determination under |
|
[Subsection (b) of] this section as follows: |
|
(1) the two members of the authority who are |
|
representatives of insurance companies writing motor vehicle |
|
insurance in this state shall recuse themselves; and |
|
(2) the remaining five members of the authority shall |
|
make the determination by a simple majority vote. |
|
(d) Determinations made under this section shall be |
|
performed in accordance with procedures set forth in rules adopted |
|
by the authority. The question of eligibility for a refund is not a |
|
contested case under [within the meaning of the Administrative
|
|
Procedure Act (]Chapter 2001, Government Code[)]. |
|
(e) A [Except as provided by Subsection (f), a] request for |
|
a refund made under this section must be made not later than four |
|
years after the date the payment was made to the authority under |
|
Section 1006.153 [10 of this article]. |
|
Sec. 1006.153 [10]. FEE IMPOSED ON INSURER. (a) In this |
|
section,[:
|
|
[(1)
"Insurer" means any insurance company writing any
|
|
form of motor vehicle insurance in this state, including an
|
|
interinsurance or reciprocal exchange, mutual company, mutual
|
|
association, or Lloyd's plan.
|
|
[(2)] "motor [Motor] vehicle years of insurance" means |
|
the total number of years or portions of years during which a motor |
|
vehicle is covered by insurance. |
|
(b) An insurer shall pay to the authority a fee equal to $2 |
|
multiplied by the total number of motor vehicle years of insurance |
|
for insurance policies delivered, issued for delivery, or renewed |
|
by the insurer. The fee shall be paid not later than: |
|
(1) March 1 of each year for a policy delivered, |
|
issued, [delivered,] or renewed from July 1 through December 31 of |
|
the previous calendar year; and |
|
(2) August 1 of each year for a policy delivered, |
|
issued, [delivered,] or renewed from January 1 through June 30 of |
|
that year. |
|
(c) The fee imposed by this section is in addition to any |
|
other fee or tax imposed by law on an insurer. |
|
(d) The authority shall notify the Texas Department [State
|
|
Board] of Insurance of any insurer that fails to pay the fee |
|
required by this section, and the Texas Department of Insurance |
|
[board] may for that reason revoke the insurer's certificate of |
|
authority. |
|
(e) Fifty percent of each fee collected under Subsection (b) |
|
may be appropriated only to the authority for the purposes of this |
|
chapter [article]. |
|
SECTION 4.23. Section 8, Article 4413(37), Revised |
|
Statutes, as amended by Chapters 308 (H.B. 1887) and 927 (H.B. |
|
3225), Acts of the 80th Legislature, Regular Session, 2007, is |
|
transferred to Subchapter D, Chapter 1006, Transportation Code, as |
|
added by this Act, redesignated as Section 1006.154, Transportation |
|
Code, reenacted, and amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 1006.154 [8]. USE OF APPROPRIATED FUNDS. (a) Money |
|
appropriated to the department for authority purposes shall be used |
|
by the authority to pay the department for administrative costs and |
|
to achieve the purposes of this chapter [article], including: |
|
(1) [establishing and funding the motor vehicle
|
|
registration program required by Section 9 of this article;
|
|
[(2)] providing financial support to law enforcement |
|
agencies for economic motor vehicle theft and fraud-related motor |
|
vehicle crime enforcement teams; |
|
(2) [(3)] providing financial support to law |
|
enforcement agencies, local prosecutors, judicial agencies, and |
|
neighborhood, community, business, and nonprofit organizations for |
|
programs designed to reduce the incidence of economic motor vehicle |
|
theft and fraud-related motor vehicle crime; |
|
(3) [(4)] conducting educational programs designed to |
|
inform motor vehicle owners of methods of preventing motor vehicle |
|
burglary or theft and fraud-related motor vehicle crime; |
|
(4) [(5)] providing equipment, for experimental |
|
purposes, to assist motor vehicle owners in preventing motor |
|
vehicle burglary or theft; and |
|
(5) [(6)] establishing a uniform program to prevent |
|
stolen motor vehicles from entering Mexico. |
|
(b) In any fiscal year, the amount of the administrative |
|
expenses of the authority, including salaries, travel and marketing |
|
expenses, and other overhead expenses may not exceed eight percent |
|
of the total expenditures of the authority. |
|
(c) The cost of personnel and services provided to the |
|
authority by the department and by the attorney general may be paid |
|
only from appropriations made for authority purposes. |
|
Appropriations made for authority purposes may not be used for any |
|
other purpose. |
|
SECTION 4.24. Section 6(i), Article 4413(37), Revised |
|
Statutes, is transferred to Subchapter D, Chapter 1006, |
|
Transportation Code, as added by this Act, redesignated as Section |
|
1006.155, Transportation Code, and amended to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 1006.155. ANNUAL FINANCIAL REPORT. [(i)] The |
|
authority shall prepare annually a complete and detailed written |
|
report accounting for all funds received and disbursed by the |
|
authority during the preceding fiscal year. The annual report must |
|
meet the reporting requirements applicable to financial reporting |
|
provided by [in] the General Appropriations Act. |
|
SECTION 4.25. Section 981.073(b), Insurance Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) A domestic surplus lines insurer is not subject to: |
|
(1) Section 38.003; |
|
(2) Chapter 462; |
|
(3) Chapter 463; |
|
(4) Chapter 501; |
|
(5) Section 981.051; |
|
(6) Section 981.101(b); |
|
(7) Chapter 2007; |
|
(8) Chapter 2301; |
|
(9) Chapter 2251; and |
|
(10) Chapter 1006, Transportation Code [Article
|
|
4413(37), Revised Statutes]. |
|
SECTION 4.26. Section 201.805(a), Transportation Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) The department shall annually publish in appropriate |
|
media and on the department's Internet website in a format that |
|
allows the information to be read into a commercially available |
|
electronic database a statistical comparison of department |
|
districts and the following information, calculated on a per capita |
|
basis considering the most recent census data and listed for each |
|
county and for the state for each fiscal year: |
|
(1) the number of square miles; |
|
(2) the number of vehicles registered; |
|
(3) the population; |
|
(4) daily vehicle miles; |
|
(5) the number of centerline miles and lane miles; |
|
(6) construction, maintenance, and contracted routine |
|
and preventive maintenance expenditures; |
|
(7) combined construction, maintenance, and |
|
contracted routine and preventive maintenance expenditures; |
|
(8) the number of district and division office |
|
construction and maintenance employees; |
|
(9) information regarding grant programs, including: |
|
(A) Motor Vehicle Crime [Automobile Theft] |
|
Prevention Authority grants; |
|
(B) Routine Airport Maintenance Program grants; |
|
(C) Public Transportation Grant Program grants; |
|
(D) Medical Transportation Program grants; and |
|
(E) aviation grants or aviation capital |
|
improvement grants; |
|
(10) approved State Infrastructure Bank loans; |
|
(11) Texas Traffic Safety Program grants and |
|
expenditures; |
|
(12) the dollar amount of any pass-through toll |
|
agreements; |
|
(13) the percentage of highway construction projects |
|
completed on time; |
|
(14) the percentage of highway construction projects |
|
that cost: |
|
(A) more than the contract amount; and |
|
(B) less than the contract amount; and |
|
(15) a description of real property acquired by the |
|
department through the exercise of eminent domain, including the |
|
acreage of the property and the location of the property. |
|
SECTION 4.27. Section 1001.151(c), Transportation Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(c) Money appropriated to the department for Motor Vehicle |
|
Crime [Automobile Burglary and Theft] Prevention Authority |
|
purposes and other revenue collected or received by the Motor |
|
Vehicle Crime [Automobile Burglary and Theft] Prevention Authority |
|
may not be deposited into the fund. |
|
SECTION 4.28. The following provisions are repealed: |
|
(1) Sections 9 and 11, Article 4413(37), Revised |
|
Statutes; |
|
(2) the headings to Sections 3, 5, and 6, Article |
|
4413(37), Revised Statutes; and |
|
(3) the heading to Article 4413(37), Revised Statutes. |
|
SECTION 4.29. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b) of |
|
this section, Section 1006.057, Transportation Code, as |
|
transferred, redesignated, and amended by this Act, applies to a |
|
person who is appointed before, on, or after the effective date of |
|
this Act to the Automobile Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority |
|
or Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority, as applicable. |
|
(b) A member of the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority |
|
who, before the effective date of this Act, completed the training |
|
program required by Sections 5(c), (d), and (e), Article 4413(37), |
|
Revised Statutes, as that law existed before the effective date of |
|
this Act, is required to complete additional training only on |
|
subjects added by this Act to the training program as required by |
|
Section 1006.057, Transportation Code, as transferred, |
|
redesignated, and amended by this Act. A member described by this |
|
subsection may not vote, deliberate, or be counted as a member in |
|
attendance at a meeting of the authority held on or after December |
|
1, 2019, until the member completes the additional training. |
|
SECTION 4.30. (a) On the effective date of this Act: |
|
(1) the name of the Automobile Burglary and Theft |
|
Prevention Authority is changed to the Motor Vehicle Crime |
|
Prevention Authority, and all powers, duties, rights, and |
|
obligations of the Automobile Burglary and Theft Prevention |
|
Authority are the powers, duties, rights, and obligations of the |
|
Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority; |
|
(2) a member of the Automobile Burglary and Theft |
|
Prevention Authority is a member of the Motor Vehicle Crime |
|
Prevention Authority; and |
|
(3) any appropriation for the Automobile Burglary and |
|
Theft Prevention Authority is an appropriation for the Motor |
|
Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority. |
|
(b) On and after the effective date of this Act, a reference |
|
in law to the Automobile Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority is |
|
a reference to the Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority. |
|
(c) The Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Authority is the |
|
authority formerly known as the Automobile Burglary and Theft |
|
Prevention Authority in all respects. All personnel, equipment, |
|
data, documents, facilities, contracts, items, other property, |
|
rules, decisions, and proceedings of or involving the Automobile |
|
Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority are unaffected by the |
|
change in the name of the authority. |
|
ARTICLE 5. STUDY ON IMPOSING FEES ON ALTERNATIVELY FUELED VEHICLES |
|
SECTION 5.01. DEFINITIONS. In this article: |
|
(1) "Alternatively fueled vehicle" has the meaning |
|
assigned by Section 502.004, Transportation Code. |
|
(2) "Conventional vehicle" means a vehicle, as defined |
|
by Section 502.001, Transportation Code, that is exclusively |
|
powered by gasoline or diesel fuel. |
|
(3) "Motor fuel taxes" means the motor fuel taxes |
|
imposed under Chapter 162, Tax Code. |
|
(4) "Vehicle miles traveled" means the number of miles |
|
traveled by a vehicle. |
|
SECTION 5.02. STUDY AND REPORT. (a) Using existing funds, |
|
the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and the Texas Department of |
|
Transportation shall jointly contract with a third-party |
|
contractor to conduct a study and create a report on the feasibility |
|
and advisability of a program to establish a fee for alternatively |
|
fueled vehicles similar to the motor fuel taxes imposed on |
|
conventional vehicles. |
|
(b) The study must: |
|
(1) review other state or federal laws regarding fees |
|
and taxes for alternatively fueled vehicles and whether those laws |
|
reduced tax revenue generated from motor fuels, including: |
|
(A) whether other states measure the vehicle |
|
miles traveled of alternatively fueled vehicles to calculate any |
|
fees or taxes; and |
|
(B) the methods used to calculate the vehicle |
|
miles traveled under Paragraph (A); |
|
(2) calculate the revenue generated from motor fuel |
|
taxes for each mile traveled by a vehicle in this state; |
|
(3) calculate the total amount of vehicle fees and |
|
taxes that drivers of alternatively fueled vehicles pay compared |
|
with the total amount of vehicle fees and taxes drivers of |
|
conventional vehicles pay, and calculate the net revenue generated |
|
by each; |
|
(4) determine whether a correlation exists between the |
|
market penetration of alternatively fueled vehicles and the |
|
decrease in revenue from motor fuel taxes; |
|
(5) compile and analyze all available sources of data |
|
related to the vehicle miles traveled for alternatively fueled |
|
vehicles in this state; |
|
(6) determine whether the Department of Public Safety |
|
of the State of Texas should collect information on the vehicle |
|
miles traveled for an alternatively fueled vehicle during the |
|
vehicle's annual inspection under Chapter 548, Transportation |
|
Code; |
|
(7) determine a method, in measuring vehicle miles |
|
traveled, to distinguish between different types of alternatively |
|
fueled vehicles, including hybrid vehicles, as defined by Section |
|
382.003, Health and Safety Code, and conventional vehicles at |
|
annual inspections under Chapter 548, Transportation Code; |
|
(8) determine the feasibility of implementing a |
|
program that imposes a fee based on vehicle miles traveled by |
|
alternatively fueled vehicles to be deposited to the state highway |
|
fund, including: |
|
(A) the cost of implementing the program to |
|
drivers of alternatively fueled vehicles and to the state; |
|
(B) whether the vehicle miles traveled measured |
|
by the program should include miles traveled outside this state; |
|
(C) whether vehicle weight should be a factor in |
|
calculating the fee; |
|
(D) the appropriate state agency to administer |
|
the program; and |
|
(E) the appropriate methods of and schedule for |
|
payment for the fee imposed under the program; and |
|
(9) calculate the feasibility and determine the |
|
consequences of abolishing motor fuel taxes and replacing those |
|
taxes with a fee based on vehicle miles traveled for all vehicles, |
|
including: |
|
(A) calculating the total amount in fees the |
|
average driver would be required to pay to ensure that the state |
|
does not lose the revenue it derives from motor fuel taxes; and |
|
(B) comparing any potential negative effects |
|
from imposing a fee based on vehicle miles traveled for all vehicles |
|
and any current negative effects from imposing motor fuel taxes. |
|
(c) Not later than December 1, 2020, the Texas Department of |
|
Motor Vehicles and the Texas Department of Transportation shall |
|
jointly submit to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the |
|
house of representatives, and members of the legislature the report |
|
created under Subsection (a) of this section that includes a |
|
summary of the results of the study conducted under that subsection |
|
and any legislative recommendations based on the study. |
|
SECTION 5.03. EXPIRATION DATE. This article expires |
|
September 1, 2021. |
|
ARTICLE 6. EFFECTIVE DATE |
|
SECTION 6.01. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |