Bill Text: TX HB2876 | 2013-2014 | 83rd Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to fees for the compulsory inspection of motor vehicles; authorizing a maximum fee to be charged by an inspection station.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 2)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-03-25 - Referred to Appropriations [HB2876 Detail]

Download: Texas-2013-HB2876-Introduced.html

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83R6013 AJZ-F
By: Harper-Brown H.B. No. 2876

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to fees for the compulsory inspection of motor vehicles;
authorizing a maximum fee to be charged by an inspection station.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The heading to Section 548.102, Transportation
Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 548.102. [TWO-YEAR] INITIAL INSPECTION PERIOD FOR
PASSENGER CAR OR LIGHT TRUCK.
SECTION 2. Section 548.102(a), Transportation Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) The initial inspection period is three [two] years for a
passenger car or light truck that:
(1) is sold in this state;
(2) has not been previously registered in this or
another state; and
(3) on the date of sale is of the current or preceding
model year.
SECTION 3. Section 548.501, Transportation Code, is amended
by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (c) and (d) to
read as follows:
(a) Except as provided by Sections 548.503 and 548.504, each
inspection station shall set a reasonable maximum [the] fee for
inspection of a motor vehicle [other than a moped is $12.50. The
fee for inspection of a moped is $5.75]. If the maximum inspection
fee set by the inspection station exceeds the recommended maximum
inspection fee set by the commission under Subsection (d), the
inspection station must provide written notice to the commission of
the inspection station's maximum inspection fee. The maximum
inspection fee must include any amount to be charged [fee] for a
verification form issued as required by Section 548.256 [is $1].
(c) After receiving written notice under Subsection (a),
the commission may review an inspection station's maximum
inspection fee to determine whether it is reasonable. In
determining whether a maximum inspection fee charged by an
inspection station is reasonable, the commission may consider the
resources required by the inspection station to perform the
station's inspection duties under state and federal law. If the
commission determines that an inspection fee is not reasonable, the
commission may require the inspection station to reduce the amount
of the maximum inspection fee the station charges.
(d) The commission by rule shall establish a statewide
recommended maximum inspection fee that an inspection station may
charge for inspection of a motor vehicle.
SECTION 4. Section 548.503, Transportation Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 548.503. INITIAL [TWO-YEAR] INSPECTION OF PASSENGER
CAR OR LIGHT TRUCK. (a) The fee for inspection of a passenger car
or light truck under Section 548.102 shall be set by the department
by rule on or before September 1 of each year. A fee set by the
department under this subsection must be based on the costs of
producing certificates, providing inspections, and administering
the program, but may not be less than $34.25 [$21.75].
(b) The department shall require an inspection station to
make an advance payment of $20.25 [$14.75] for a certificate to be
issued under this section. Additional payment may not be required
of the station for the certificate. The inspection station may
waive the fee due from the owner of the vehicle inspected. A refund
for an unissued certificate shall be made in the same manner as
provided for other certificate refunds.
SECTION 5. Subchapter H, Chapter 548, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 548.509 to read as follows:
Sec. 548.509. SIGNS DISPLAYING FEES. An inspection station
shall post, in an area of the station that is accessible to and
frequented by the public, a sign or placard stating:
(1) the maximum fee the inspection station may charge
for a vehicle safety inspection; and
(2) the maximum fee the inspection station may charge
for an emissions test, if required.
SECTION 6. (a) Not later than October 1, 2013, the Public
Safety Commission shall adopt any rules necessary to implement
Section 548.501, Transportation Code, as amended by this Act.
(b) Section 548.501(a), Transportation Code, as amended by
this Act, applies only to an inspection of a motor vehicle performed
on or after October 1, 2013. An inspection performed before October
1, 2013, is governed by the law in effect on the date the inspection
was performed, and the former law is continued in effect for that
purpose.
SECTION 7. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.