Texas Legislature Considering Bills that could Impact Auto Repairers

Lawmakers in the Texas State Legislature, which only convenes for 150 days every two years, are considering several bills that could impact automotive repairers.

• Senate Bill (SB) 1, the state’s budget legislation, instructs state agencies to use the most cost effective means available to maintain and repair state vehicles, including entering into agreements for services with state agencies or higher education institutions which operate vehicle maintenance shops. It does not prohibit state agencies or higher education institutes from receiving services from private vehicle maintenance shops when necessary. The bill passed the State Senate on a 31-0 vote.
• House Bill (HB) 11/ SB 2531 would make it easier for TX to have occupational licensing reciprocity agreements with other states.
• HB 1074 would forbid registering vehicles equipped with remote vehicle disabling technology for operation on public highways. "Remote vehicle disabling technology" is defined as "any application or device, including software, firmware, or hardware, that, when activated or engaged, allows a person to disable the operation of a motor vehicle. The term does not include an ignition interlock device." The bill would also enshrine the right to own an ICE vehicle and operate that vehicle using human decision making (not relying on ADAS/AV systems).
• HB 4555/SB 2748 would require OEMs to make all vehicle data, including non-repair data, available to a vehicle owner available the vehicle’s owner at no cost through a standardized access platform.
• HB 4570/SB 458 would require the insurance commissioner to create rules requiring that personal auto insurance policies contain an appraisal clause that grants the policyholder a right to an appraisal within a certain period of time.
• HB 5033 would eliminate Texas' vehicle emissions inspection program if given authority by the federal government to do so.