TITLE: Relating to the idling of motor vehicles.

SUMMARY: Relating to the idling of motor vehicles.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to the idling of motor vehicles. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 382, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Section 382.0191 to read as follows: Sec. 382.0191. IDLING OF MOTOR VEHICLE. (a) In this section, "idling" means allowing an engine to run while the motor vehicle is not engaged in forward or reverse motion. (b) The commission may not prohibit or limit the idling of any motor vehicle with a gross vehicle weight rating greater than 8,500 pounds that is equipped with a 2008 or subsequent model year heavy-duty diesel engine or liquefied or compressed natural gas engine that has been certified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency or another state environmental agency to emit no more than 30 grams of nitrogen oxides emissions per hour when idling. SECTION 2. Subchapter Z, Chapter 622, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Section 622.955 to read as follows: Sec. 622.955. INCREASE OF MAXIMUM WEIGHT FOR VEHICLES WITH IDLE REDUCTION SYSTEMS. (a) For purposes of this section, "idle reduction system" means a system that provides heating, cooling, or electrical service to a commercial vehicle's sleeper berth for the purpose of reducing the idling of a motor vehicle. (b) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, the maximum gross vehicle weight limit and axle weight limit for any vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with an idle reduction system shall be increased by an amount necessary to compensate for the additional weight of the idle reduction system. (c) The weight increase under Subsection (b) may not be greater than 400 pounds. (d) On request by an appropriate law enforcement officer or an official of an appropriate regulatory agency, the vehicle operator shall provide proof that: (1) the idle reduction technology is fully functional at all times; and (2) the weight increase is not used for any purpose other than the use of an idle reduction system. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.