86R2143 BEE-F
By: Minjarez H.B. No. 113
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the registration, operation, and inspection of
automated motor vehicles.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 502, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 502.0431 to read as follows:
Sec. 502.0431. APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION OF AUTOMATED
MOTOR VEHICLE. An applicant for registration of an automated motor
vehicle, as defined by Section 545.451, must indicate in the
vehicle description required under Section 502.043(a) that the
vehicle is an automated motor vehicle.
SECTION 2. Section 545.454(b), Transportation Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(b) An automated motor vehicle may not operate on a highway
in this state with the automated driving system engaged unless the
vehicle is:
(1) capable of operating in compliance with applicable
traffic and motor vehicle laws of this state, subject to this
subchapter;
(2) equipped with a recording device, as defined by
Section 547.615(a), installed by the manufacturer of the automated
motor vehicle or automated driving system;
(3) equipped with an automated driving system in
compliance with applicable federal law and federal motor vehicle
safety standards;
(4) equipped with the most recent software updates
released by the manufacturer of the automated motor vehicle and
automated driving system;
(5) equipped with a failure alert system that alerts
the owner of the vehicle to a failure of the automated driving
system;
(6) registered and titled in accordance with the laws
of this state; and
(7) [(5)] covered by motor vehicle liability coverage
or self-insurance in an amount equal to the amount of coverage that
is required under the laws of this state.
SECTION 3. Section 548.051(a), Transportation Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) A motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or
mobile home, registered in this state, must have the following
items inspected at an inspection station or by an inspector:
(1) tires;
(2) wheel assembly;
(3) safety guards or flaps, if required by Section
547.606;
(4) brake system, including power brake unit;
(5) steering system, including power steering;
(6) lighting equipment;
(7) horns and warning devices;
(8) mirrors;
(9) windshield wipers;
(10) sunscreening devices, unless the vehicle is
exempt from sunscreen device restrictions under Section 547.613;
(11) front seat belts in vehicles on which seat belt
anchorages were part of the manufacturer's original equipment;
(12) exhaust system;
(13) exhaust emission system;
(14) fuel tank cap, using pressurized testing
equipment approved by department rule; [and]
(15) emissions control equipment as designated by
department rule; and
(16) if the vehicle is an automated motor vehicle as
defined by Section 545.451:
(A) automated driving system; and
(B) failure alert system as required by Section
545.454(b)(5).
SECTION 4. (a) As soon as practicable after the effective
date of this Act, the Department of Public Safety shall adopt rules
governing the inspection of automated driving systems and failure
alert systems, as required by Section 548.051(a)(16),
Transportation Code, as added by this Act.
(b) The changes in law made by this Act to Section
548.051(a), Transportation Code, apply only to a vehicle inspected
on or after September 1, 2020.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.