Bill Text: TX SB615 | 2011-2012 | 82nd Legislature | Engrossed


Bill Title: Relating to requiring a retail seller of motor vehicle tires to render certain tires unusable and to the regulation of scrap tires; providing civil penalties.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 4-2)

Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2011-05-24 - Placed on General State Calendar [SB615 Detail]

Download: Texas-2011-SB615-Engrossed.html
 
 
  By: Rodriguez, Wentworth S.B. No. 615
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to requiring a retail seller of motor vehicle tires to
  render certain tires unusable and to the regulation of scrap tires;
  providing civil penalties.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subtitle C, Title 5, Business & Commerce Code, is
  amended by adding Chapter 106 to read as follows:
  CHAPTER  106.  REQUIREMENTS FOR RETAIL SELLERS OF MOTOR VEHICLE
  TIRES
         Sec. 106.001.  DEFINITION. In this chapter, "dealer" has
  the meaning assigned by Section 503.001, Transportation Code.
         Sec. 106.002.  RENDERING CERTAIN MOTOR VEHICLE TIRES
  UNUSABLE. (a)  A business that sells new or used tires at retail
  for use on a motor vehicle shall render as unusable on a motor
  vehicle a tire held as inventory or purchased or received in
  exchange from a customer if the tire does not meet the inspection
  criteria adopted by rule of the Department of Public Safety under
  Section 548.002, Transportation Code.  The business shall render
  the tire unusable by:
               (1)  puncturing a hole at least two inches in diameter
  through the body of the tire so that the tire cannot be temporarily
  repaired by the use of blowout patches or boots; or
               (2)  taking any other action necessary to prevent the
  tire from being used on a motor vehicle.
         (b)  This section does not apply to a tire that:
               (1)  remains mounted on the wheel of a motor vehicle
  that is:
                     (A)  held as inventory by a dealer; or
                     (B)  purchased or received in exchange by a dealer
  as part of a motor vehicle retail installment transaction; or
               (2)  a business transfers to a used or scrap tire
  transporter that:
                     (A)  is registered with the Texas Commission on
  Environmental Quality; and
                     (B)  has provided the commission with a bond in an
  amount of at least $100,000.
         Sec. 106.003.  RULEMAKING AUTHORITY. The Department of
  Public Safety may adopt rules to implement this chapter.
         Sec. 106.004.  CIVIL PENALTY. (a)  A business that violates
  this chapter is liable to the state for a civil penalty in an amount
  not to exceed $500 for each violation.
         (b)  The attorney general or the appropriate district or
  county attorney may bring an action under this chapter in the name
  of the state in a district court in:
               (1)  Travis County; or
               (2)  the county in which the violation occurs.
         SECTION 2.  Title 6, Business & Commerce Code, is amended by
  adding Chapter 205 to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 205.  REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN PERSONS THAT GENERATE OR
  TRANSPORT SCRAP TIRES
         Sec. 205.001.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
               (1)  "Commission" means the Texas Commission on
  Environmental Quality.
               (2)  "Scrap tire" means a tire that can no longer be
  used for the tire's original intended purpose.
               (3)  "Scrap tire generator" means a person that
  generates scrap tires.  The term includes a tire dealer, junkyard,
  or fleet operator.
               (4)  "Scrap tire transporter" means a person that:
                     (A)  collects scrap tires from another person for
  the purpose of removal to a scrap tire processor, end user, or
  disposal facility; and
                     (B)  is required to register with the commission
  as a scrap tire transporter.
         Sec. 205.002.  BOND REQUIRED FOR SCRAP TIRE TRANSPORTER.
  (a)  A scrap tire transporter shall file with the commission a bond
  issued by a surety company authorized to transact business in this
  state.
         (b)  The principal amount of the bond must equal at least
  $100,000.
         (c)  The bond must be payable to the state and conditioned on
  compliance with this chapter and any rules adopted under this
  chapter.
         Sec. 205.003.  STORAGE OF SCRAP TIRES.  A scrap tire
  generator that stores scrap tires outdoors on its business premises
  shall store the scrap tires in a fully enclosed area or container
  that may be made secure by locking.
         Sec. 205.004.  RULES. The commission may adopt rules to
  implement this chapter.
         Sec. 205.005.  CIVIL PENALTY. (a)  A person that violates
  this chapter is subject to a civil penalty in an amount not to
  exceed $500 for each violation.  A separate penalty may be imposed
  for each day a violation occurs.
         (b)  The attorney general or the appropriate district or
  county attorney may bring an action against a person under this
  section in the name of the state in a district court in the county in
  which:
               (1)  the person resides; or
               (2)  the person's principal place of business is
  located.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.
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