By: RodrÃguez, et al. S.B. No. 511
(Clardy)
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the installation of unsafe motor vehicle tires;
providing a civil penalty.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 547.001, Transportation Code, is amended
by adding Subdivision (9-a) to read as follows:
(9-a) "Unsafe tire" means a tire that:
(A) has tire tread less than one-sixteenth of an
inch deep;
(B) has a localized worn spot that exposes the
ply or cord through the tread;
(C) has a tread or sidewall crack, cut, or snag as
measured on the outside of the tire that is more than an inch long
and deep enough to expose the body cords;
(D) has any visible bump, bulge, or knot
apparently related to tread or sidewall separation or partial
failure of the tire structure, including the bead area;
(E) has been repaired temporarily by the use of a
blowout patch or boot;
(F) has worn tread wear indicators that contact
the road in any two adjacent major grooves in the center or middle
of the tire; or
(G) does not otherwise meet applicable
department safety standards for the tire adopted under Section
547.101.
SECTION 2. Section 547.612, Transportation Code, is amended
by adding Subsection (f) to read as follows:
(f) Except as otherwise provided by this subsection, a
person who owns or operates a business that installs tires on motor
vehicles or an employee of the person may not knowingly install an
unsafe tire on a motor vehicle to be used on a public street or
highway. A person who violates this subsection is liable to this
state for a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $500. This
subsection does not apply to the reinstallation of a tire on a motor
vehicle that had been removed from the motor vehicle. Section
542.301 does not apply to a violation of this subsection.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.