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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the titling, registration, and operation of a miniature |
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vehicle. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 501, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 501.039 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 501.039. TITLE FOR MINIATURE VEHICLE. (a) In this |
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section, "miniature vehicle" has the meaning assigned by Section |
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502.001. |
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(b) For the purposes of issuing a title under this chapter, |
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a miniature vehicle is considered to be a motor vehicle. |
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(c) This section applies only to a miniature vehicle that: |
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(1) was 25 years of age or older at the time of import |
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into the United States; or |
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(2) at the time of the issuance of the title, is 25 |
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years of age or older and has previously been issued a valid title |
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in the United States. |
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SECTION 2. Section 502.001, Transportation Code, is amended |
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by adding Subdivision (21-a) to read as follows: |
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(21-a) "Miniature vehicle" means a miniature car, |
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truck, van, or bus manufactured in Japan that: |
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(A) is powered by an internal combustion engine |
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with a displacement of 1,200 cubic centimeters or less; |
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(B) has a width of 60 inches or less; |
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(C) has a length of 140 inches or less; |
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(D) has a height of 80 inches or less; |
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(E) has a top speed of at least 50 miles per hour; |
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(F) is designed to propel itself with four or |
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more tires in contact with the ground; |
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(G) is equipped with: |
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(i) a speedometer; and |
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(ii) all equipment required for miniature |
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vehicles under Section 547.106 or rules adopted by the Department |
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of Public Safety under Section 547.106; and |
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(H) has a manufacturer's permanent vehicle |
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identification number, as defined by Section 501.002. |
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SECTION 3. Subchapter A, Chapter 502, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 502.006 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 502.006. REGISTRATION OF MINIATURE VEHICLE. (a) For |
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purposes of registering a vehicle under this chapter, a miniature |
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vehicle is considered to be a motor vehicle. |
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(b) This section applies only to a miniature vehicle that: |
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(1) was 25 years of age or older at the time of import |
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into the United States; or |
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(2) at the time of registration is 25 years of age or |
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older and has previously been issued a valid title in the United |
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States. |
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SECTION 4. Subchapter I, Chapter 545, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 545.429 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 545.429. OPERATION OF MINIATURE VEHICLE. (a) In this |
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section, "miniature vehicle" has the meaning assigned by Section |
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502.001. |
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(b) A person may operate a miniature vehicle on a public |
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highway only if: |
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(1) the vehicle has been registered and titled in |
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accordance with the laws of this state; and |
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(2) the vehicle is capable of operating in compliance |
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with applicable traffic laws in this title. |
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SECTION 5. Subchapter B, Chapter 547, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 547.106 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 547.106. MINIATURE VEHICLE EQUIPMENT STANDARDS. (a) |
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In this section, "miniature vehicle" has the meaning assigned by |
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Section 502.001. |
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(b) A miniature vehicle must be equipped with the following |
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items in compliance with this chapter: |
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(1) headlamps; |
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(2) stoplamps; |
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(3) turn signal lamps; |
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(4) tail lamps; |
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(5) parking brake; |
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(6) rearview mirror; and |
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(7) windshield wipers. |
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(c) A provision of this chapter that requires equipment not |
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listed in Subsection (b) does not apply to a miniature vehicle |
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unless the department by rule specifically applies the provision to |
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miniature vehicles. |
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SECTION 6. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |