TITLE 37.PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS

Part 1. TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Chapter 19. BREATH ALCOHOL TESTING REGULATIONS

Subchapter B. TEXAS IGNITION INTERLOCK DEVICE REGULATION

37 TAC §§19.21 - 19.29

The Texas Department of Public Safety proposes amendments to §§19.21-19.29, concerning Texas Ignition Interlock Device Regulations.

The original IID regulations were written with a very minimal knowledge of how day to day business practices were being conducted in this state by the individual vendors. There are seven vendors doing business in Texas to date, utilizing nine different device models. Compounding the problem is that different counties in the state require different variations of services and/or reports from the vendors.

Because of the problems encountered above, our first attempt at establishing rules by which the IID industry would be regulated were, as we have come to find out, less than adequate to address some concerns that have come to light since we have begun to actively inspect the industry.

We feel the proposed changes address issues unknown to us in the beginning, and we also believe we have clarified and/or made many of our original intentions throughout the document more flexible.

In §19.21 we added the definition of Director. For flexibility we eliminated "scientific director" and replaced it with "department" in this section and throughout the document.

In §19.23(f) we added wording to make the rolling retest requirement more flexible to accommodate different vendor's capabilities.

In §19.24(b)(1) we added wording to make more flexible the operational free restart feature, thus accommodating different vendor's capabilities.

In §19.25(a) and (b) we explicitly outline the calibration confirmation referred to in the original rules. Some vendors did not know what we were talking about and therefore were not complying with this rule.

In §19.27(c)(1) we expanded the definition of service center. Initial inspections revealed locations (being called service centers) that were no more than a car parked on the side of the road with their computer set upon the hood of the vehicle. We feel this way of doing business needs amendment. In (c)(2) we continue our expansion of the service center definition insofar as how services should be rendered, especially with regard to service representative trainees, which topic was not addressed in the original regulations because we had not thought of it. In (c)(6) we further mandated procedures to be implemented by the service center to check for tampering and/or circumvention. Heretofore, some service centers were not checking for tampering and/or circumvention, and in some instances only the device was being presented (absent the vehicle) for the monitor check.

In §19.27(h) and (i), §19.28(c) and (d) and §19.29(d) and (e) we more succinctly defined all of the possible certification statuses, the procedures to be undertaken to recertify, and we configured their position in the document to be at the end of the respective sections.

The passage of Tex. H.B. 5, Acts 2001, 77th Leg., R.S., ch. 969, §3, amended Chapter 49.09(g) of the Penal Code, and will cause the number of ignition interlock devices (IID's) in use in the state to double over the next few years. In order to address this growth, the department is adding two ignition interlock inspectors to its work force in order to be able to regulate this industry and its growth. The current rule calls for a much higher paid and educated inspector than the department is able to acquire. The main reason the department must revise these regulations then, is to rewrite the requirements in §19.29 for the ignition interlock inspector to meet the department's pending job classification on this subject.

Tom Haas, Chief of Finance, has determined that for each year of the first five-year period the rules are in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government, or local economies.

Mr. Haas also has determined that for each year of the first five-year period the rules are in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rules will be rule clarification which will enable the department to enforce shortcomings in interlock vendor actions and guide the interlock vendor to more easily regain lost certification in this program. There is no anticipated economic cost to small businesses, large businesses, or micro-businesses. There is no anticipated economic cost to individuals.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Richard Baxter, Manager, Breath Alcohol Testing, Texas Department of Public Safety, P.O. Box 4087, Austin, Texas 78773-0570, (512) 424-5201.

The amendments are proposed pursuant to Texas Government Code, §411.004(3), which authorizes the Public Safety Commission to adopt rules considered necessary for carrying out the department's work and Texas Transportation Code, §521.2476, which requires the department to create and maintain these rules.

Texas Government Code, §411.004(3) and Texas Transportation Code, § 521.2476 are affected by this proposal.

§19.21.Explanation of Terms and Actions.

The following words and terms, when used in this undesignated head, shall have the following meanings, unless indicated otherwise.

(1) Alcohol -- Ethyl alcohol, also called Ethanol.

(2) Alcohol concentration -- The weight amount of alcohol contained in a unit volume of breath or air, measured in grams of Ethanol/210 liters of breath or air and expressed as grams/210 liters. Breath alcohol concentration in these regulations shall be designated as "alcohol concentration."

(3) Alveolar air -- Also called "deep lung air" or "alveolar breath." An air sample which is the last portion of a prolonged, uninterrupted exhalation and which gives a quantitative measurement of alcohol concentration from which breath alcohol concentrations can be determined. "Alveolar" refers to the alveoli, which are the smallest air passages in the lungs, surrounded by capillary blood vessels and through which an interchange of gases occurs during respiration.

(4) Anticircumvention feature(s) -- Any feature or circuitry incorporated into the Ignition Interlock Device (IID) that is designed to prevent human tampering which would cause the device not to operate as intended.

(5) Approval -- Meeting and maintaining the requirements of these regulations and placement on the department's [ scientific director's ] list of approved devices. Approval may be denied, cancelled, withdrawn, and/or suspended at any time, for cause by the department [ scientific director ].

(6) Appropriate judicial [ judiciary ] authority -- a phrase used throughout these regulations that is meant to include personnel or court orders of the Texas judicial [ judiciary ] system including but not be limited to: the actual court order requiring or authorizing installation of an IID, the court (or judge) that ordered or authorized that installation, pretrial services authorities (having to do with bail bond requirements in these matters), adult supervision (or adult probation) authorities and/or [ and or ] occupational licensing authorities.

(7) Bogus air sample -- Any gas sample other than the unaltered, undiluted, or unfiltered alveolar air sample coming from the individual required to have an ignition interlock device installed in his/her vehicle.

(8) Breath alcohol analysis -- Analysis of a sample of person's expired alveolar breath to determine the concentration of alcohol in the person's breath.

(9) Certification.

(A) Certification refers to meeting and maintaining the requirements set forth in these regulations. Under the provisions of these regulations, certification is granted to:

(i) inspectors,

(ii) service representatives, and

(iii) service centers.

(B) Certification is granted by the department [ scientific director ] only when minimum requirements of certification have been met. All aspects of IID business in Texas must be performed under certification in order to be eligible for court purposes.

(C) Certificates are issued to inspectors, service representatives, and service centers. Certificates are not issued for individual IIDs or reference sample devices.

(10) Certified IID inspector. -- Refers to an individual who meets the requirements stated in §19.29 of this title (relating to Ignition Interlock Device Inspector).

(11) Certified service center -- Refers to any IID service center, whether fixed site or mobile, meeting and maintaining the provisions stated in §19.27 of this title (relating to Certification and Inspection of Service Centers).

(12) Certified service representative -- Refers to an individual who has successfully completed the requirements stated in these regulations and has received certification from the department [ scientific director ] to install, inspect, download, calibrate, repair, monitor, maintain, service and/or remove a specific ignition interlock device(s). Service representative certification is contingent upon compliance with all provisions stated in §19.28 of this title (relating to Service Representative).

(13) Costs -- The nonrefundable original administrative fees plus any and all costs incurred by the department for testimony and/or approval, or reevaluation, of any device. Any and all incurred costs and expenses shall be the responsibility of the manufacturers and shall be reimbursed to the department within 30 days. Additionally the reasonable cost of providing legislatively mandated inspections of certified service centers shall be reimbursed to the department in the form of inspection fees payable by either the manufacturer or vendor, whichever is appropriate. Failure to pay or reimburse the department for these reasonable costs shall result in the denial or loss of certification of the affected service center(s).

(14) Data storage system -- A computerized recording of all events monitored by the installed IID, which may be reproduced in the form of required reports.

(15) Department -- The unmodified word department in these regulations refers to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

(16) Device -- An ignition interlock device (abbreviated in this title as IID).

(17) Director -The chief executive officer of the department.

(18) Emergency bypass -- a one-time event, authorized by a service representative that permits the IID- equipped vehicle to be started without the requirement of passing the breath test. This event must be recorded in the Data storage system. Also see Illegal Start.

(19) [ (18) ] Filtered air samples -- Any mechanism by which there is an attempt to remove alcohol from the human breath sample. Filters would include, but are not limited to, silica gel, drierite, cat litter, cigarette filters, water filters, cotton, etc.

(20) [ (19) ] Fixed-site service center -- A certified service center that is at a permanent location, i.e., not mobile.

(21) [ (20) ] Free restart -- The condition in which a test is successfully completed and the motor vehicle is started, and then at some point the engine stops for any reason (including stalling). A free restart is the ability to start the engine again, within a reasonable time as approved by the department [ two minutes ], without completion of another breath alcohol analysis. This free restart does not apply, however, if the IID was awaiting a rolling retest that was not delivered.

(22) [ (21) ] IID -- The common abbreviation for Ignition Interlock Device used throughout these regulations.

(23) [ (22) ] Ignition interlock device (abbreviated in this title as IID) -- A device that is a breath alcohol analyzer that is connected to a motor vehicle ignition. In order to start the motor vehicle engine, a driver must deliver [ blow ] an alveolar breath sample to [ into ] the IID [ analyzer ] which measures the alcohol concentration. If the alcohol concentration meets or exceeds the startup set point on the interlock device, the motor vehicle engine will not start.

(24) [ (23) ] Illegal start -- An event wherein the IID-equipped vehicle is started without the requisite breath test having been taken and passed and/or is started when the IID is in a lockout condition or is started by enabling an unauthorized emergency bypass. Any and all of these events shall be recorded in the Data storage system as violations.

(25) [ (24) ] Inactivation.

(A) Inactivation refers to the voluntary or temporary discontinuance of certification. Unless specifically stated otherwise, this loss of certification will be an administrative program control as opposed to suspension or revocation for violation of these regulations or for unreliability or incompetence. Inactivation may be initiated by anyone having authority to suspend or revoke, or by the certified entity in case of voluntary surrender of certification. In questionable cases, the decision to accept inactivation or invoke suspension or revocation will be determined by the department [ scientific director ]. Recertification of an inactivated certificate will require a written request from the applicant to the department [ scientific director ] and successful completion of the requirements outlined in §19.27, § 19.28 [ 19.28(c) ], or §19.29, of this title (relating to Certification and Inspection of Service Centers, Service Representative, and Ignition Interlock Device Inspector) as appropriate for recertification and/or other requirements determined by the department [ scientific director ]. Inactivation will be used in, but not limited to, the following situations:

(i) an inspector or a service representative terminates employment under which certification was acquired and new employment does not require certification, or the new location of the inspector or service representative cannot be ascertained; or

(ii) [ an inspector or ]a service representative fails to renew current certification and reverts to an inactive status; or

(iii) a service center that no longer meets all the requirements for certification.

(B) Inactivation will not be considered by the department [ office of the scientific director ] as a disciplinary action. It is for administrative program control to safeguard the scientific integrity of the IID program.

(26) [ (25) ] Interlock -- The mechanism which prevents a motor vehicle from starting when the alcohol concentration of a person meets or exceeds a preset value.

(27) [ (26) ] Lockout condition -- A state wherein the IID will not allow the vehicle to be started until a certified service representative completes a violation reset, downloads the Data storage system and restores the IID to a state that will allow the vehicle to be started. Violation conditions that trigger the lockout condition will enable a unique auditory and/or visual cue that will warn the driver that the vehicle ignition will enter a lockout condition within a period not to exceed 5 days. This event will be uniquely recorded in the data storage system and will simultaneously start a clock that culminates in the actual lockout condition.

(28) [ (27) ] Manufacturer -- The actual producer of the device.

(29) [ (28) ] Manufacturer's representative -- An individual and/or entity designated by the manufacturer to act on behalf of or represent the manufacturer of a device. May be synonymous with vendor.

(30) [ (29) ] Mobile service center -- Any IID facility that has the personnel and equipment capability to be in use separately and simultaneously with it's parent fixed site service center, whether set up in a vehicle or temporarily set up at a site with a permanent foundation.

(31) [ (30) ] Negative result -- A test result indicating that the alcohol concentration is less than the startup set point value.

[ (31) Office of the scientific director -- The individual responsible for the implementation, administration, and enforcement of the Texas Ignition Interlock Device Regulations or his staff.]

(32) Positive result -- A test result indicating that the alcohol concentration meets or exceeds the startup set point value.

(33) Proficiency test -- A test administered by, and in the presence of, an IID inspector to establish and/or ascertain the competency of a service representative with regard to IID equipment.

(34) Purge -- Any mechanism which cleanses or removes a previous breath or reference sample from the device and specifically removes alcohol.

(35) Recertification -- Recertification refers to the regaining of lost certification; for example, certification loss by inactivation, suspension, or revocation. Unless provided for by specific provision in these regulations, application for recertification requires a written request from the applicant to the department [ scientific director ]. Upon receipt of the request, the applicant will be advised of the necessary procedure to regain certification. Recertification requires the successful completion of requirements stated in §19.27, § 19.28 [ 19.28(c) ] or §19.29 of this title (relating to Certification and Inspection of Service Centers, Service Representative, and Ignition Interlock Device Inspector) as appropriate, and/or additional requirements as stated by the department [ scientific director ].

(36) Reference sample device -- A device which generates a headspace gas above a water/alcohol solution that is maintained at a thermostatically controlled temperature. This headspace gas can be used to simulate the breath alcohol concentration of an individual who has been drinking alcoholic beverages and whose alcohol concentration is reflected in an analysis of a breath sample. The results of this analysis are expressed as grams of alcohol/210 liters of breath.

(37) Retest set point -- A pre-set or pre-determined alcohol concentration setting, which is the same (0.03) as the startup set point [ or with appropriate judiciary authority, as much as 0.02 higher than the startup set point ], at which, or above, during a rolling retest, the device will record in the data storage system, the high alcohol result as a violation.

(38) Revocation.

(A) Revocation refers to the immediate cancellation of certification. Revocation is an action taken only by the department [ scientific director ]. To regain certification after revocation requires a written request from the applicant to the department [ the scientific director ] and successful completion of the requirements for certification and/or recertification and/or any additional requirements determined by the department [ scientific director ]. Revocation invalidates any current IID program certification issued to the revoked entity for the period of revocation and until recertification. Unless provided for by specific provision in these regulations, revocation will apply when the holder of the certification no longer meets the criteria for certification. Examples of cases for which revocation will apply include, but are not limited to, the following:

(i) a certified IID service center that no longer meets the requirements of these regulations because of unreliability, incompetence, or violation of these regulations.

(ii) A certified inspector or service representative who is no longer in compliance with the requirements for certification under these regulations including a certified inspector or certified service representative who, subsequent to certification, is convicted of driving while intoxicated, theft, a crime involving moral turpitude, or any offense classified as a felony.

(iii) any case where, in the opinion of the department, continuance of certification would not uphold the scientific integrity of the IID program.

(B) If after the allowed appeals process, the revocation of a service center is sustained; the revoked entity shall be required to replace the IID service and/or the IID as in § 19.25(e) of this title (relating to Maintenance and Calibration Requirements).

(C) In the event that no appeal from the revoked service center is forthcoming, the revoked entity shall have 30 days to achieve the requirements of §19.25(e) of this title (relating to Maintenance and Calibration Requirements).

(D) Revocation will be for the purpose of enforcing these regulations and maintaining the scientific integrity of the Texas IID program. A revocation may be appealed to the director, Texas Department of Public Safety.

(39) Rolling retest -- After passing the test allowing the engine to start, the IID shall require a second test within a randomly variable interval ranging from 5 to 15 minutes. Third and subsequent retests shall be required at intervals not to exceed 45 minutes from the previously requested test for the duration of the travel. See Retest set point.

(40) Rolling retest violation -- An event, recorded in the data storage system when the rolling retest requirement is not met.

(41) Service center -- The physical location where the service representatives perform their IID services. Also see certified service center.

(42) Service representative -- See Certified service representative.

(43) Startup set point -- A pre-set or pre-determined alcohol concentration setting at which, or above, the device will prevent the ignition of a motor vehicle from operating. That value shall be an alcohol concentration of 0.03 g /210 liters of breath.

(44) Suspension -- Suspension refers to the immediate cancellation or curtailment of certification and may be applied to any certified IID entity when, because of unreliability, incompetence, or violation of these regulations that entity is not in compliance with the provisions stated in these regulations or when continuance of such certification in the opinion of the department [ scientific director ] would not uphold the scientific integrity of the IID program. A suspension can be initiated by an [ the scientific director, ] IID inspector [ , ] or designated representative of the department [ scientific director ]. Prior to appeal to the director [ of the Department of Public Safety ], suspensions may be set aside or sustained only after investigation by the department [ scientific director ]. The minimum period of suspension as determined by the department [ scientific director ] will be for a period of time not less than 30 days. The IID inspector or a designated representative of the department [ scientific director ] may recommend a specific period of suspension to the department [ scientific director ].

(A) A suspension cancels any certification issued to a suspended inspector or service representative for a period of suspension until recertification. During a suspension, the suspended entity is barred from providing any service in the IID program.

(B) A suspension curtails any certification issued to a suspended service center for a period of suspension until recertification. During a suspension, the suspended service center may continue to provide service to those IID customers in existence prior to the suspension, but shall not acquire new IID customers during the period of suspension.

(C) To regain certification after the period of suspension requires a written request from the suspended entity to the department [ scientific director ]. Upon receipt of the written request, the applicant will be advised of the necessary steps to be taken in order to regain certification. Suspension will not be considered by the department [ scientific director ] to be a disciplinary action but shall be for the purpose of maintaining the scientific integrity of the ignition interlock program and upholding these regulations. A suspension may be appealed to the director, Texas Department of Public Safety.

(45) Tampering -- An overt or conscious attempt to physically disable or otherwise disconnect the IID from its power source and thereby allow the operator to start the engine without taking and passing the requisite breath test. This attempt, whether successful or not, shall be recorded in the data storage system as a violation.

(46) Vendor -- The person or entity representing the manufacturer(s) of an approved IID and responsible for the day-to-day operations and the continuing certification of an IID service center. Must have manufacturer's approval for use of a particular approved IID either through purchase or lease agreement. May be synonymous with manufacturer's representative.

(47) Violation -- Any of several events including but not limited to such things as high alcohol, whether from a violation set point or from a retest set point, a rolling retest violation, tampering or an illegal start. These events, recorded in the data storage system, must be reported as per appropriate judicial [ judiciary ] requirements and which, when accumulated to a total determined by the appropriate judicial [ judiciary ] authority, shall enter a lockout condition within a period not to exceed 5 days and require a violation reset.

(48) Violation reset -- An unscheduled service of the IID and download of the data storage system by the service center required because an accumulation of violations has reached a number (predetermined by appropriate judicial [ judiciary ] authority) that generates a lockout condition. This information shall be reported to the appropriate judicial [ judiciary ] authority within 48 hours after the vendor becomes aware of the violation. Completion of this service will include restoring the IID to a state that will allow the vehicle to be started.

(49) Violation set point -- A pre-set or pre-determined alcohol concentration setting at which, or above, the device will record the high alcohol result in the data storage system as a violation.

(50) Withdrawal of approval -- Cancellation of approval of a device; to wit, not meeting or maintaining these regulations.

§19.22.Procedure for Device Approval.

(a) All ignition interlock devices to be used in the state pursuant to Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 521, must be approved by the department [ model and/or class by the office of the scientific director, Alcohol Testing Program, Texas Department of Public Safety (hereinafter referred to as the scientific director) ]. These regulations and requirements apply only to IID usage in the Texas judicial system in applications such as (but not limited to) pretrial services (bail bond requirements), adult supervision (probation requirements) and/or occupational licensing requirements. They are not intended to apply to or limit IID use in a voluntary or non- adjudicated scenario such as a parent having an IID placed on a child's motor vehicle.

(b) [ (1) ] The department [ scientific director ] will establish and maintain a list of approved devices by model and/or class for use in the state.

(c) [ (2) ] If application is made for approval of a device by model and/or class not on the approved list, the following procedures and standards shall apply.

(1) [ (A) ] A manufacturer or manufacturer's representative requesting approval of a device must submit a production model of the device, along with a written request for approval. It shall be the responsibility of the manufacturer or the manufacturer's representative to incur costs of mailing or shipping of the device to and from the department. It shall also be the responsibility of the manufacturer or the manufacturer's representative to submit a certified check or money order in the amount of $50 payable to the Texas Department of Public Safety (this is an administrative approval processing fee and is nonrefundable). In the event of non-approval, additional requests for approval may be limited by the department. The department shall not get involved in research and development procedures of these devices.

(2) [ (B) ] Accompanying each device shall be a notarized letter and/or affidavit from a testing laboratory certifying that the submitted device by model and/or class meets or exceeds all requirements set forth in §19.23 of this title (relating to Technical Requirements) and §19.24(a) and (b) of this title (relating to Miscellaneous Requirements) and/or any other requirements as determined by the department [ scientific director ]. This affidavit shall also include:

(A) [ (i) ] the name and location of the testing laboratory;

(B) [ (ii) ] the address and phone number of the testing laboratory;

(C) [ (iii) ] a description of the tests performed;

(D) [ (iv) ] copies of the data and results of the testing procedures; and

(E) [ (v) ] the names and qualifications of the individuals performing the tests.

(d) [ (3) ] Prior to approval of the device, the manufacturer or the manufacturer's representative shall complete and submit an application approval affidavit available from the department [ scientific director ]. The notarized application approval affidavit shall be signed by the manufacturer or the manufacturer's representative. This approval affidavit shall state that the device by model and/or class will be calibrated and maintained pursuant to these regulations and as designated by the department [ scientific director ].

(1) [ (A) ] If a device is submitted for approval by a party other than the manufacturer, the submitting party shall submit a notarized affidavit from the manufacturer of the device certifying that the submitting party is an authorized manufacturer's representative and that it is agreed and understood that any action taken by the department [ scientific director ] or any cost incurred in accordance with the provisions of these regulations shall ultimately be the responsibility of the manufacturer.

(2) [ (B) ] After the device is approved, in order to do business in the Texas IID program, a manufacturer must vend through a Certified IID Service Center as described in §19.27 of this title (relating to Certification and Inspection of Service Centers).

(e) [ (4) ] An annual reevaluation of the approved IID, pursuant to Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 521, shall be required in order for continued approval. This reevaluation shall consider those requirements in §§19.23- 19.25 of this title (relating to Technical Requirements, Miscellaneous Requirements, and Maintenance and Calibration Requirements). The cost of this reevaluation shall be the same as for the initial approval process noted in subsection (c) (1) [ (b) ] of this section.

(f) [ (5) ] Annually provide to the department a written report of each service and feature of all approved IIDs made available by the manufacturer. The department shall make available the form for this report.

(g) [ (6) ] The vendor shall notify the department in writing if the certification or approval of a device that is approved for use in Texas is or ever has been suspended, revoked or denied in another state, whether such action occurred before or after approval in Texas. This notification shall be made in a timely manner, not to exceed 30 days, after the vendor has received notice of the suspension, revocation, or denial of certification or approval of the device, whether or not the action is or has been appealed.

(h) [ (7) ] Nothing in these regulations shall imply that an IID which was approved under an earlier version of these regulations is no longer approved because of revisions to these regulations, except for legislated requirements such as in subsection (e) [ (d) ] of this section or changes in technology as referred to in §19.24 (b)(2) of this title (relating to Miscellaneous Requirements) and §19.26 (b)(2) of this title (relating to Approval, Denial, and Withdrawal of Approval).

§19.23.Technical Requirements.

(a) Accuracy. The startup set point value for the interlock device shall be an alcohol concentration of 0.030 g/210 liters of breath. The accuracy of the device shall be 0.030 g/210 liters plus or minus 0.010 g/210 liters. The accuracy will be determined by analysis of an external standard generated by a reference sample device , or other methodologies that may be approved by the department .

(b) Alveolar breath sample. The device shall have a demonstrable feature designed to assure that the breath sample that is measured is essentially alveolar.

(c) Precision. The device shall correlate with a known alcohol concentration of 0.03 g/210 liters with accuracy set forth in subsection (a) of this section. A correlation of 95% will be considered reliable precision; 95 of 100 times the device must respond to, detect, and prevent the motor vehicle engine from operating when the operator has an alcohol concentration of 0.03 g/210 liters or greater, or any other limits as set by the department [ scientific director ].

(1) The proportion of false positive results shall not exceed 5.0%.

(2) The proportion of false negative [ and uncertain ] results shall not exceed 5.0%.

(d) Specificity. A test of alcohol-free samples shall not yield a positive result. Endogenously produced substances capable of being present in the breath shall not yield or significantly contribute to positive results.

(e) Temperature. The device shall meet the requirements of subsections (a) and (c) of this section when used at ambient temperatures of -20 degrees Celsius to 83 degrees Celsius or other limits as set by the department [ scientific director ].

(f) Rolling retest. To thwart curbside assistance, after passing the test allowing the engine to start, the IID shall require a second test within a randomly variable interval ranging from 5 to 15 minutes. Third and subsequent retests shall be required at intervals not to exceed 45 minutes from the previously requested test for the duration of the travel. During the rolling retest, the retest set point shall be the same as [ or with appropriate judiciary order, as much as 0.02 higher than ] the startup set point. In order to alert the driver that a retest is to be required, a [ 3 minute ] warning light and/or tone shall come on. The driver will then be afforded sufficient time [ have 3 minutes ] to retest. If the engine is intentionally or accidentally shutdown after or during the [ 3 minute ] warning but before retesting, the free [ retest clock shall not be reset. Retesting takes priority over free restarts (see §19.21(20)) of this title (relating to Explanation of Terms and Actions). Free ] restart shall not be operative [ when the IID is awaiting a rolling retest ]. The failure to take a retest shall be recorded in the data storage system as a violation.

(g) Vibrational stability. The device shall meet the requirements of subsections (a) and (c) of this section when subjected to simple harmonic motion having an amplitude of 0.38mm (0.015 inches) applied initially at a frequency of 10 Hz and increased at a uniform rate to 30 Hz in 2 1/2 minutes, then decreased at a uniform rate to 10 Hz in 2 1/2 minutes. The device shall also meet the requirements to simple harmonic motion having an amplitude of 0.19mm (0.0075 inches) applied initially at a frequency of 30 Hz and increased at a uniform rate to 60 Hz in 2 1/2 minutes, then decreased at a uniform rate to 30 Hz in 2 1/2 minutes

§19.24.Miscellaneous Requirements.

(a) Anticircumvention. The device shall be designed so that anticircumvention features will be difficult to bypass.

(1) Anticircumvention provisions shall include, but not be limited to, prevention or preservation of evidence of cheating by attempting to use bogus or filtered breath samples or bypassing the breath sampling requirements of the device electronically.

(2) The device may use special seals or other methods that record attempts to bypass anticircumvention provisions.

(3) The device shall be checked for evidence of tampering at least once every sixty (60) days [ other month ] or more frequently if the need arises.

(4) When evidence of tampering is discovered, [ the appropriate judiciary authority shall be notified in writing and ] these records shall be made available to the appropriate judicial authority and upon request to the department [ scientific director ].

(b) Operational features.

(1) The device shall be designed to permit a free restart of a motor vehicle's ignition within a reasonable time as approved by the department [ two minutes ] after the ignition has been shut off, without requiring a further alcohol analysis. [ The free restart function shall be checked during each routine inspection. ]

(2) The device shall also automatically purge alcohol before allowing subsequent analyses. In addition to the operational features of these regulations, the department [ scientific director ] may impose additional requirements, as needed, depending upon design and functional changes in device technology.

(3) The device shall have a data storage system of sufficient capacity to facilitate the recording and maintaining of all daily driving activities for the period of time elapsed from one maintenance and calibration check (as referred to in §19.25 (a)) of this title (relating to Maintenance and Calibration Requirements) to the next.

(c) Product liability. The manufacturer of the device shall carry liability insurance covering product liability, including coverage in Texas with a minimum policy limit of $1 million.

(d) Service support [ Product warranty ]. The manufacturer shall [ provide a warranty of performance to ] ensure responsibility for [ support for ] service support within a maximum of 48 hours after notification of a reported malfunction. This support shall be in effect during the period the device is required to be installed in a motor vehicle.

(e) Modifications. Once a device by model and/or class has been approved, no modification in design or operational concept may be made without prior written consent of the department [ scientific director ]. This does not include replacement or substitution of repair parts to maintain the device nor software changes that do not modify the operational concept of the device.

(f) Warning label. A label warning against tampering, circumventing, or misuse [ label containing the following language ] shall be affixed to each device: [ "Any individual tampering, circumventing, or misusing this device shall be subject to prosecution and/or civil liability." ]

(g) Safety. The device shall be designed to comply with generally recognized safety requirements.

(h) Specification and operating instructions. Manufacturers shall provide to the department with each device submitted for approval, a precise set of specifications, which describe the features of the device concerned in the evaluation of its performance. A set of detailed operating instructions shall be supplied with each device.

(i) Product indemnity. The manufacturer shall provide a signed statement that the manufacturer shall indemnify and hold harmless the state of Texas, the department and its officers, employees, and agents from all claims, demands, and actions, as a result of damage or injury to persons or property which may arise, directly or indirectly, out of any act or omission by the manufacturer or their representative relating to the installation, service, repair, use and/or removal of an IID.

(j) General. Any other requirements as may be determined necessary by the department [ scientific director ] to ensure that the device functions properly and reliably.

§19.25.Maintenance and Calibration Requirements.

(a) The device shall be inspected, maintained, and calibrated for accuracy and operational performance at least once every sixty (60) days [ other month ] and more frequently, if necessary, as specified by the department or the appropriate judicial [ judiciary ] authority [ or the scientific director ]. This maintenance and calibration check will be performed by a certified IID service center as described in § 19.27 of this title (relating to Certification and Inspection of Service Centers).

(b) The maintenance and calibration check will consist of, but not be limited to, a check of the device to determine that the device is properly functioning in accordance with the following sections:

(1) accuracy - §19.23(a) of this title (relating to Technical Requirements);

(A) The device shall be calibrated before placing into service. The calibration described herein shall verify the IID accuracy to be within plus or minus 0.010 g/210 liters of the reference sample predicted value.

(B) Upon return to the service center as in subsection (a) of this section [ for any reason ], the device shall be subjected to a calibration confirmation test. The test result described herein shall verify the accuracy of the IID to be within plus or minus 0.010 g/210 liters of the reference sample predicted value.

(i) Should the device fail the calibration confirmation test referred to [ The data storage system entry described ] in subsection (b)(1)(B) of this section that information shall be made available to the appropriate judicial authority [ unique to indicate a simulated result, not an actual breath sample ].

(ii) Should the [ device fail the ] calibration confirmation test referred to in subsection (b)(1)(B) of this section not agree within plus or minus 0.010 g/210 liters of the reference sample predicted value, the device shall be recalibrated so as to restore the accuracy described in subsection (b)(1)(A) of this section before the device may be returned to service [ , that information shall be forwarded, with sufficient explanation to the appropriate judiciary authority ].

(2) anticircumvention - §19.24(a) of this title (relating to Miscellaneous Requirements); and

(3) operational features - §19.24(b) of this title (relating to Miscellaneous Requirements).

(c) Maintenance [ Documentation ] and calibration records [ of periodic checks ] shall be maintained by the manufacturer, the manufacturer's representative, and/or the vendor and shall be provided upon request to the department [ office of the scientific director ] and/or any appropriate judicial [ judiciary ] authority.

(d) If [ , ] at any time [ of routine inspection, or at any other time, ] the device fails to meet the provisions of this section, the device shall be removed from service or calibrated and/or repaired, and [ the vendor or manufacturer's representative shall notify, in writing, the appropriate judiciary authority and ] these records shall be made available to the appropriate judicial authority and upon request to the department [ scientific director ].

(e) A manufacturer shall be responsible for providing continuing service by a certified service center during the installation period, without interruption, should a certified service center go out of business or be revoked.

(1) If the out of business or revoked service center is being replaced, the manufacturer shall make all reasonable efforts to obtain participant records and data from a certified service center being replaced and provide them to the new service center. The department shall be notified of this event as soon as possible.

(2) If the out of business or revoked service center is not replaced, the manufacturer shall retain the records and data as required in subsection (e)(1) of this section. The department shall be notified of this event as soon as possible.

(A) The manufacturer shall be responsible for, and shall bear the cost of, removal of the original IID and replacement with another approved IID, regardless of the manufacturer of the device being substituted, if another manufacturer's device is available. The manufacturer shall also determine that each participant with an existing, installed IID is able to obtain the required service within a similar distance, no more than 25 miles further than previously, of the participant's residence or place of business.

(B) The manufacturer shall make every reasonable effort to notify all participants of the change of the certified service center or replacement of the device 30 days before the change or replacement will occur, or as soon as is possible.

(3) If neither subsection (e)(1) nor subsection (e)(2) of this section can be accomplished, the manufacturer shall be responsible for notifying the clients and the appropriate judicial [ judiciary ] authority that service will be terminated within 60 days, and then removing the devices at no cost to the clients in question.

§19.26.Approval, Denial, and Withdrawal of Approval.

(a) Upon proof of compliance with these regulations, an [ and ] ignition interlock device will be approved by brand and/or model and will be placed on a list of approved devices. Notification of approval shall be made in writing to the manufacturer. It will be the responsibility of the manufacturer to provide proof that each individual device installed in any motor vehicle meets or exceeds the minimum standards of these regulations and is the same model and/or class approved by the department [ scientific director ]. It will further be the responsibility of the manufacturer to provide expert or other required testimony in any civil or criminal proceedings as to the method of manufacture of the device, how said device functions, and the testing protocol by which the device was approved. In the event it should become necessary for the department [ scientific director ] to provide testimony in any civil or criminal procedures involving the approval or use of the device, the manufacturer shall reimburse the department for any costs incurred in providing such testimony. Failure to provide this reimbursement shall result in withdrawal of approval for the device.

(b) The approval of a device may be denied or withdrawn by the department [ scientific director ] if:

(1) the device, entity, or person fails to meet the requirement for approval under the Texas ignition interlock device regulations; or

(2) changes in IID technology are such that continued approval of the device would, as determined by the department, not be in the best interest of the state of Texas.

(c) The denial or withdrawal of an approval may be appealed to the director, Texas Department of Public Safety.

§19.27.Certification and Inspection of Service Centers.

(a) All IID service centers conducting business in this state, whether fixed site or mobile, must have the approval of and be certified by the department [ scientific director ].

(b) To initiate certification for an IID service center, a vendor or the IID manufacturer's representative shall submit an application to the department [ scientific director ] for approval. The application, available from the department [ scientific director ], shall show the physical location of the service center, the brand and/or model of the ignition interlock device(s) to be merchandised and the reference sample device(s) to be used. The application shall also contain a statement acknowledging permission from the IID manufacturer to vend the IID described by the application [ , the reference sample device to be used, and a list of qualified service representatives that are or will be certified ]. Only IIDs listed on the approved list referenced in §19.22(a) of this title (relating to Procedure for Device Approval) may be merchandised. A vendor applying for certification of an IID service center must agree to:

(1) allow access for inspection under subsection (d) of this section,

(2) comply with subsection (g) of this section,

(3) comply with subsection (c) of §19.24 of this title (relating to Miscellaneous Requirements) concerning product liability and liability insurance requirements, and

(4) comply with subsection (d) of §19.24 of this title (relating to Miscellaneous Requirements) concerning service support [ product warranty and support of service ] requirements.

(c) All IID testing techniques, in order to be approved, shall meet, but not be limited to, the following:

(1) A certified IID service center shall be located in a facility which properly and successfully accommodates installing, inspecting, downloading, calibrating, repairing, monitoring, maintaining, servicing and/or removing a specific IID device(s). The service center must incorporate the use of analysis of a reference sample such as headspace gas from a mixture of water and a known weight of alcohol at a known temperature, the results of which must agree with the reference sample predicted value as in § 19.25(b)(1)(A) and (B) of this title (relating to Maintenance and Calibration Requirements), or other methodologies that may be approved by the department. Preparatory documentation (such as certificate of analysis) on the reference sample solution(s) shall be available to the department. Only reference sample devices approved by the department may be used in certified IID operations. [ Services rendered by the IID service center must be performed by a certified service representative ].

(2) Services rendered by the IID service center must be performed by a properly trained and certified service representative. IID service centers shall maintain sufficient staff to ensure an acceptable level of service. Monitor checks shall be scheduled in a manner such as not to deprive the client of an acceptable level of service. The IID service center must at al times be staffed with at least one certified service representative. Potential service representative candidates may train in the certified IID service center only under the direct supervision of a currently certified service representative. The potential service representative candidate will be given a reasonable time as determined by the department to train before being required to take and pass the IID service representative examination. [ The service center must incorporate the use of analysis of a reference sample such as headspace gas from a mixture of water and a known weight of alcohol at a known temperature, the results of which must agree with the reference sample predicted value within plus or minus 0.01g/210L, or other methodologies that may be approved by the scientific director. This reference analysis shall be performed in conjunction with all calibration confirmations and/or checks. Preparatory documentation (such as certificate of analysis) on the reference sample solution(s) shall be available to the scientific director. Only reference sample devices approved by the scientific director may be used in certified IID operations. ]

(3) All analytical results shall be expressed in grams of alcohol per 210 liters of breath (g/210L).

(4) The applicant must agree to maintain any specified records designated by the department, [ scientific director; ] including but not limited to:

(A) submitting violation(s) if any, of any court order to the appropriate judicial [ judiciary ] authority when requested [ , not later than 48 hours after the vendor discovers the violation ],

(B) maintaining complete records of each device installation for five years from the date of the removal [ installation ],

(C) making IID records available, either by inspection or via copy to any appropriate judicial [ judiciary ] authority and upon request to the department [ scientific director ].

(5) All anticircumvention features must be activated on any installed IID.

(6) The device must be installed and inspected in accordance with any applicable court order. Furthermore, the service center, through the certified IID representative(s), shall perform a visual inspection of the vehicle, the device, and the device's wiring to ensure no tampering or circumvention has occurred during the monitoring period. In the case wherein the client returns to the service center as in §19.25(a) of this title (relating to Maintenance and Calibration Requirements) absent their vehicle, such fact shall be made available to the appropriate judicial authority.

(d) An [ The scientific director, an ] IID inspector [ , ] or a designated representative of the department may at any time make an inspection of the certified IID service center to ensure [ assure ] compliance with these regulations.

(e) A designated custodian of records, when required, shall be provided by the vendor to testify in court and provide testimony concerning the interpretation of any data storage system records, as required by these courts and to answer questions concerning certification of the IID program.

(f) Upon proof of compliance with subsections (a)-(c) of this section, certification will be issued by the department [ scientific director ]. Issuance of a certificate to the service center shall be evidence that the service center meets all necessary criteria for approval and certification. Prior to issuance of the certification, an on-site evaluation may be required by the department to ensure compliance with the provisions of this section.

(g) Certification of the [ any ] IID service center [ testing program ] is contingent upon the applicant's agreement to conform and abide by any directives, orders, or policies issued or to be issued by the department [ scientific director ] regarding any aspect of the IID service center; this shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(1) program administration;

(2) reports;

(3) records and forms;

(4) inspections;

(5) methods of operations and testing techniques;

(6) personnel training and qualifications;

(7) criminal history considerations for service representatives; and

(8) records custodian.

(h) [ Each service center currently doing business on the effective date of these regulations, will have ninety days to apply for and meet the requirements of service center certification, the department's capacity to conduct the certification process not withstanding. ]

[ (i) ] Certification of an IID service center may be denied, withdrawn, inactivated, suspended, or revoked by the department [ scientific director ] if a vendor, service center, service representative, or IID equipment fails to meet all criteria stated in this section, or if the vendor violates any law of this state that applies to the vendor. An IID service center whose pending application for certification has been denied, or an IID service center whose certification has been withdrawn, inactivated, suspended or revoked may appeal such action in writing to the director, [ Texas Department of Public Safety, ] who will decide whether the action of the department [ scientific director ] will be affirmed or set aside. The director may allow the pending application for certification of the IID service center, or the director may reinstate certification of the IID service center appealing the withdrawal, inactivation, suspension or revocation of certification under such conditions deemed necessary [ making the appeal under such conditions deemed necessary and notify the scientific director in writing ].

(i) Recertification of a service center whose certification has been withdrawn, inactivated, suspended or revoked will require a written request from the applicant to the department and successful completion of the original requirements for certification as outlined in subsection (b) of this section and/or other requirements as determined by the department.

§19.28.Service Representative.

(a) Initial certification.

(1) In order to apply for certification as a service representative of an ignition interlock device service center, an applicant must successfully attain the following:

(A) proof of employment by an ignition interlock device service center that meets the requirements set forth in §19.27 of this title (relating to Certification and Inspection of Service Centers); and

(B) documentation from the aforementioned employer that the applicant is currently trained in all necessary aspects of the specific IIDs involved in the vendors service center.

(C) If a service representative is certified to work with a specific brand and/or model of equipment and is required to be certified on an additional brand and/or model of equipment, the department [ scientific director ] may waive portions of subsection (a)(1)(B) of this section and require only that instruction needed to acquaint the applicant with proper operation of the new brand and/or model of equipment.

(2) Prior to initial certification as a service representative of an ignition interlock device service center, an applicant must satisfactorily complete a written examination which shall cover the regulatory aspects of the Texas IID Program.

(A) Failure of the initial written examination will cause the applicant to be ineligible for reexamination for a period of 30 days.

(B) A subsequent failure will be handled the same as an initial failure.

(3) An applicant who has been convicted of driving while intoxicated, theft, a crime involving moral turpitude, or any offense classified as a felony, within five years prior to the date of filing of the applicant's application for certification as an IID service representative is not eligible for certification. For purposes of this section, a conviction means the applicant was adjudicated guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.

(4) The department, with advance notice to IID vendors, may impose additional requirements for service representative certification should the need be warranted.

(5) Upon successful completion of the requirements for initial certification, the department [ scientific director ] will issue the individual a service representative's certificate valid [ for a specific, approved IID(s), and ] for a period of time designated by the department [ scientific director ] unless certification is withdrawn, inactivated, suspended, or revoked.

(b) Renewal of current certification. The service representative is required to renew certification prior to its expiration date. The minimum requirement for renewal of service representative certification will be:

(1) a biennial written acknowledgement from the service representative's employing IID vendor that this service representative is both;

(A) employed by the vendor in the capacity of a service representative, and

(B) currently trained in all necessary aspects of the IIDs involved in the vendor's service center.

(2) a biennial written acknowledgement from the service representative that he or she still meets the requirement of subsection (a)(3) of this section.

(3) Renewal of certification will be denied and current certification will be inactivated when the service representative:

(A) fails to furnish proper documentation required in subsections (b)(1)(A) and (B) of this section, or

(B) fails to meet the requirements of subsection (a)(3) of this section.

(4) Upon successful completion of the requirements for renewal of certification, the department [ scientific director ] will issue the individual a service representative's certificate valid [ for a specific, approved IID(s) and ] for a period of time designated by the department [ scientific director ] or until next renewal unless certification is withdrawn, inactivated, suspended, or revoked.

[ (5) Each service representative currently doing business on the effective date of these regulations, will have ninety days to apply for and meet the requirements of service representative certification, the department's capacity to conduct the certification process not withstanding.]

(c) Certification of the service representative may be denied, withdrawn, inactivated, suspended or revoked by the department if the service representative fails to meet the requirements of these regulations. A person whose pending application for certification has been denied, or a service representative whose certification has been withdrawn, inactivated, suspended or revoked may appeal such action to the director, who will decide whether the action of the department will be affirmed or set aside. The director may allow the pending application for certification as an IID service representative, or the director may reinstate certification of the IID service representative appealing the withdrawal, inactivation, suspension or revocation of certification under such conditions deemed necessary. [ Recertification. Certification that has been inactivated, suspended, or revoked must be regained before IID service representative work can be resumed. It will be the responsibility of the inactivated, suspended, or revoked service representative to notify the scientific director in writing of such intent. This notification shall be submitted in close proximity to the completion of any mandatory waiting period imposed under certification cancellation. An IID service representative whose certification has been suspended or revoked may appeal such action in writing to the director, Texas Department of Public Safety, who will decide whether the action of the scientific director will be affirmed or set aside. The director may reinstate certification of the IID service representative making such appeal under such conditions deemed necessary and notify the scientific director in writing. ]

(d) Recertification of a service representative whose certification has been withdrawn, inactivated, suspended or revoked will require a written request from the applicant to the department and successful completion of the original requirements for certification as outlined in subsection (a) of this section and/or other requirements as determined by the department [ shall take place pursuant to all the requirements of subsection (b) of this section ].

§19.29.Ignition Interlock Device Inspector.

(a) The minimum qualifications for certification as an IID inspector are:

(1) graduation from a standard senior high school or the equivalent plus two (2) or more years responsible work experience. College may be substituted for experience on a year-per-year basis. [ meeting the formal education and training requirements of Subchapter A, §19.5 of this title (relating to Technical Supervisor Certification), and ]

(2) the satisfactory completion of [ an ] IID inspector training [ examination ] that is approved by the department [ scientific director ], the content of which shall include, but not be limited to familiarity with:

(A) record keeping appropriate to approved IIDs in use in the state of Texas;

(B) operational principles and theories applicable to the program; and

(C) legal aspects of the IID program.

(3) Knowledge and understanding of the scientific theory and principles as to the operation of the IID and reference sample device.

(4) Persons who are currently engaged in business with or employed by an IID manufacturer or an IID vendor shall not be eligible to become a certified IID inspector.

(5) An applicant who has been convicted of driving while intoxicated, theft, a crime involving moral turpitude, or any offense classified as a felony, within five years prior to the date of filing of the applicant's application for certification as an IID inspector is not eligible for certification. For purposes of this section, a conviction means the applicant was adjudicated guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.

(6) The department, with advance notice, may impose additional and/or different requirements for IID inspector certification should the need be warranted.

(7) Upon satisfactory proof to the department by the applicant that the minimum qualifications of this subsection have been met, the department will issue a certificate that will be valid unless certification is withdrawn, inactivated, suspended or revoked for cause.

[ (b) Certification.]

[ (1) Upon satisfactory proof to the scientific director by the applicant that the minimum qualifications set forth in subsection (a) of this section have been met, the scientific director will issue certification that will be valid unless inactivated, suspended, or revoked for cause.]

[ (2) IID inspector certification may be voluntarily inactivated when it is no longer needed or automatically if the IID inspector fails to maintain the requirements set forth in subsection (a)(4) of this section.]

[ (3) IID inspector certification may be suspended or revoked only by the scientific director for malfeasance, falsely or deceitfully obtaining certification, or failure to carry out the responsibilities set forth in these regulations.]

[ (4) An IID inspector whose certification has been suspended or revoked may appeal such action in writing to the director, Texas Department of Public Safety, who will decide whether the action of the scientific director will be affirmed or set aside. The director may reinstate certification of the IID inspector making such appeal under such conditions deemed necessary and notify the scientific director in writing.]

[ (c) Certificate. The issuance of a certificate to the IID inspector shall be evidence that the IID inspector has met the requirements for certification.]

(b) [ (d) ] Duties. A certified IID inspector will make an onsite inspection of each service center as needed or as directed by the department. Such an inspection will include but not be limited to:

(1) Any and all IID technical requirements as per §19.23 of this title (relating to Technical Requirements).

(2) Any and all IID miscellaneous requirements as per §19.24 of this title (relating to Miscellaneous Requirements).

(3) Any and all IID maintenance and calibration requirements as per §19.25 of this title (relating to Maintenance and Calibration Requirements).

(4) Any and all service center requirements as per §19.27 of this title (relating to Certification and Inspection of Service Centers).

(5) Any and all service representative requirements as per §19.28 of this title (relating to Service Representative).

(c) [ (e) ] Costs. Vendors shall reimburse the department for the reasonable cost of conducting each inspection of the vendor's facilities under this section.

[ (1) The optimal number of inspections per certified service center per year shall be two.]

[ (2) The minimal number of inspections per certified service center per year shall be one.]

(1) [ (3) ] The department may conduct more inspections for cause, such as complaints from judicial, adult supervision, or clients at additional cost to the service center being inspected.

(2) [ (4) ] The calculated cost per inspection will be standardized throughout the IID program unless there are individual vendor circumstances that require additional costs to the department and will consequently be passed through to the affected vendor(s).

(d) Certification of an IID inspector may be denied, withdrawn, inactivated, suspended or revoked by the department if the inspector fails to meet the requirements of these regulations. A person whose pending application for certification has been denied, or an IID inspector whose certification has been withdrawn, inactivated, suspended or revoked may appeal such action to the director, who will decide whether the action will be affirmed or set aside. The director may allow the pending application for certification as an IID inspector, or the director may reinstate certification of the IID inspector appealing the withdrawal, inactivation, suspension or revocation of certification under such conditions deemed necessary.

(e) Recertification of an IID inspector whose certification has been withdrawn, inactivated, suspended or revoked will require a written request from the applicant to the department and successful completion of the original requirements for certification as outlined in subsection (a) of this section and/or other requirements as determined by the department.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 2, 2002.

TRD-200202077

Thomas A. Davis, Jr.

Director

Texas Department of Public Safety

Earliest possible date of adoption: May 19, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 424-2135


Chapter 23. VEHICLE INSPECTION

Subchapter A. VEHICLE INSPECTION STATION LICENSING

37 TAC §23.3

The Texas Department of Public Safety proposes an amendment to §23.3, concerning Specific Requirements for Public, Fleet, and Governmental Vehicle Inspection Stations. The section defines and provides the standards for the physical facilities of a department certified vehicle inspection station. The proposed amendment is necessary to accommodate equipment changes in vehicle inspection stations that perform emission testing. Further, the proposed amendment will expand the number of existing facilities that may become vehicle inspection stations.

Under the current requirements, inspection areas must be located entirely within the building of the inspection station and the building must have two permanent walls. This change is required for two reasons. First, installation of the new treadmill emission testing equipment required by changes in the program will, in some cases, require the vehicle to extend from the building, which means the inspection area will not be entirely within the building. Second, several prospective businesses have approached the department with inquiries about the use of former gas-only stations/stores with permanent overhead roofs. Use of these existing structures would provide better ventilation from the increased exhaust from the enhanced vehicle emission testing equipment and meet all department requirements, with the sole exception of the inspection area being entirely within a building.

Tom Haas, Chief of Finance, has determined that for each year of the first five-year period the section is in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government, or local economies.

Mr. Haas also has determined that for each year of the first five-year period the section is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the section will be an increase in the number of inspection stations serving the public. Mr. Haas has determined that during the first five-year period the amendment is in effect, it will have a positive effect on small businesses. Small businesses starting up inspection stations will be able to minimize start-up costs because they will not have to modify readily available standing buildings to conform to current department requirements. There is no anticipated economic cost to individuals who are required to comply with the section as proposed.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to E. Eugene Summerford, Legal Counsel, Vehicle Inspections and Emissions, Texas Department of Public Safety, P. O. Box 4087, Austin, Texas 78773-0543; or by fax at (512) 424-2774. All comments must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the 21st day after publication and should refer to "Proposed Rule 37 TAC Section 23.3" in the subject line or at the beginning of the text.

The amendment is proposed under Texas Government Code, §411.004(3), which authorizes the Public Safety Commission to adopt rules considered necessary for carrying out the department's work and Texas Transportation Code, §548.002, which provides authorization for the department to adopt rules to administer and enforce the compulsory inspection of vehicles; §548.005, which authorizes the department to permit inspections under terms and conditions the department prescribes; §548.401, which only authorizes inspections under rules adopted by the department; and §548.403, which authorizes the department to approve inspection station certification only if the station location complies with department requirements.

Texas Government Code, §411.004(3) and Texas Transportation Code, §§548.002, 548.005, 548.401, and 548.403 are affected by this proposal.

§23.3.Specific Requirements for Public, Fleet, and Governmental Vehicle Inspection Stations.

(a) Space requirements. The inspection area shall include:

(1) an area of 12 feet by 24 feet of minimum space;

(2) an inspection area located entirely within or adjacent to the [ a ] building; and

(3) a permissible center drain provided it does not interfere with the proper inspection of the vehicle.

(b) Specific requirements for fleet vehicle inspection stations.

(1) Fleet vehicle inspection stations shall not inspect the personal vehicles of officers, employees, or the general public even though personal vehicles are used part-time [ part ] or full-time for business. Personal vehicles will be inspected in public vehicle inspection stations.

(2) Fleet vehicle inspection stations will not be approved when free access to the vehicle inspection station grounds is not granted to representatives of the department.

(3) Firms open to the public will not be issued a fleet vehicle inspection station certificate of appointment unless such firms are currently certified as a public vehicle inspection station and desire a fleet vehicle inspection station certificate of appointment for "new car [ care ] make ready."

(4) A fleet vehicle inspection station shall meet all the requirements as prescribed for a public vehicle inspection station.

(c) Specific requirements for public inspection stations. Public inspection stations shall inspect all vehicles presented for the purpose of inspection, if the station is certified to inspect that type vehicle.

(d) Specific requirements for governmental inspection stations.

(1) A governmental vehicle inspection station shall meet the requirements as prescribed for a public vehicle inspection station.

(2) Governmental vehicle inspection stations shall not inspect the personal vehicles of officers, employees, or the general public, even though personal vehicles are used part- time [ part ] or full-time for business.

(3) Governmental vehicle inspection stations will not be approved when free access to the vehicle inspection station grounds is not granted to representatives of the department.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 2, 2002.

TRD-200202076

Thomas A. Davis, Jr.

Director

Texas Department of Public Safety

Earliest possible date of adoption: May 19, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 424-2135


Part 6. TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Chapter 151. GENERAL PROVISIONS

37 TAC §151.4

The Texas Board of Criminal Justice proposes an amendment to §151.4, Presentations to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice. The purpose of the amendment is to respond to a petition for a rule change by providing an opportunity for public presentations to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice on topics that are subject to the Board's jurisdiction but are not posted for deliberation.

Brad Livingston, Chief Financial Officer for TDCJ, has determined that for the first five years the rule will be in effect, enforcing or administering the rule does not have foreseeable implications related to costs or revenues for state or local government.

Mr. Livingston has also determined that there will be no economic impact on persons required to comply with the rule, and that the public benefit expected as a result of the proposed rule is the increased opportunity for public discourse on issues relevant to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Comments should be directed to Carl Reynolds, General Counsel, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, P.O. Box 13084, Austin, Texas 78711, Carl.Reynolds@tdcj.state.tx.us. Written comments from the general public should be received within 30 days of the publication of this proposal.

The new section is proposed under Texas Government Code, §492.013, which grants general rulemaking authority to the Board and §492.007, which requires the Board to provide access and public comment on issues within the jurisdiction of the board, as well as Texas Government Code Chapter 551, the Open Meetings Act.

Cross Reference to Statutes: Texas Government Code, Chapter 551, and §492.007.

§151.4.Presentations to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice.

(a) Policy. The Texas Board of Criminal Justice is committed to provide access and opportunity for public comment on issues within the jurisdiction of the board, and invites public testimony on items that are part of the board's posted agenda as provided for in subsection (b) of this section. [ Because the Open Meetings Act prohibits deliberation on items that are not posted, however, the board does not provide for public presentation on non-posted issues. ] Persons outside the agency who wish to have items placed on the board agenda are invited to follow the procedure in subsection (d) of this section. On an annual basis, ordinarily in the July meeting of the board, an opportunity shall be provided for public presentations on issues that are not part of the board's posted agenda. Annual public presentations shall be:

(1) subject to the requirements and restrictions of subsections (b), (c), (f) and (g) of this section;

(2) pertinent to issues under the jurisdiction of the board, as determined by the chairman and the General Counsel; and

(3) pertinent to a matter that is not subject to the employee grievance system, the employee disciplinary system, the inmate grievance system, the inmate disciplinary system, or pending litigation.

(b) Registration. [ Statements concerning items that are part of the board's posted agenda. ] Persons who desire to make presentations to the board [ concerning matters on the agenda for a scheduled board meeting or subcommittee meeting ] shall complete registration cards which shall be made available at the entry to the place where the board's scheduled meeting is to be held. Completed registration cards must be provided to the executive assistant to the chairman at least 10 minutes prior to the posted time for the beginning of the meeting. The registration cards shall include blanks in which all of the following information must be disclosed:

(1) name of the person making a presentation;

(2) a statement as to whether the person is being reimbursed for the presentation; and if so, the name of the person or entity on whose behalf the presentation is made;

(3) a statement as to whether the presenter has registered as a lobbyist in relationship to the matter in question;

(4) a reference to the agenda item , if applicable, that [ which ] the person wishes to discuss before the board;

(5) an indication as to whether the presenter wishes to speak for or against the proposed agenda item , if applicable ;

(6) a statement verifying that all factual information to be presented shall be true and correct to the best of the knowledge of the speaker.

(c) Presentation timing. [ Discretion of the chairman of the board. ] The chairman of the Texas Board of Criminal Justice shall have discretion in setting reasonable limits on the time to be allocated for each presentation. If several persons wish to address the board on the same agenda item, it shall be within the discretion of the chair to request that persons who wish to address the same side of the issue coordinate their comments, or limit their comments to an expression of support for views previously articulated by persons speaking on the same side of an issue. The chairman shall provide an opportunity for presentation by [ testimony of ] a person who has submitted a registration card prior to the board's [ board ] taking action on the item that the person indicates a wish to discuss , if the presentation applies to an item on the agenda .

(d) Requests that issues be placed on an agenda. Persons outside the agency who wish to have an agenda item posted [ bring issues before the board ] shall address their request to the Chairman, Texas Board of Criminal Justice, P.O. Box 13084, Austin, Texas 78711. Such requests should be submitted at least 50 days in advance of the board meeting. The decision whether to calendar a matter for discussion before the full board, a board committee, a board liaison, or with a designated staff member, shall be within the discretion of the chairman.

(e) Disability accommodation. Persons with disabilities who have special communication or accommodation needs and who plan to attend a meeting may contact the office of the administrative assistant to the chairman in Austin. Requests should be made at least two days before a meeting. The department will make every reasonable effort to accommodate these needs.

(f) Conduct and decorum. The board will receive public input as authorized by this section, subject to the following additional guidelines.

(1) Questioning of those making presentations will be reserved to board members and staff recognized by the chairman.

(2) Presentations shall remain pertinent to the issue being discussed.

(3) A person who is determined by the chairman to be disrupting [ disrupts ] a meeting must leave the meeting room if ordered to do so by the chairman.

(4) A person may not assign a portion of his or her time to another speaker.

(g) It is a crime to carry a prohibited weapon, an illegal knife, a club, a handgun, or a licensed concealed handgun at a meeting of the board.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 4, 2002.

TRD-200202123

Carl Reynolds

General Counsel

Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Earliest possible date of adoption: May 19, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 463-0422


37 TAC §151.8

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice proposes new §151.8, concerning Advisory Committees related to the Texas Department of Criminal Justice as established by or under state law. The purpose of the section is to set forth the TDCJ Advisory Committees that are governed by Government Code Chapter 2110 (as amended by House Bill 2914, Session Laws Chapter 1158, 77th Legislature, Regular Session) and establish a procedure whereby TDCJ shall annually evaluate each committee's work, usefulness, and costs of existence. The results of these evaluations will be reported biennially to the Legislative Budget Board.

Carl Reynolds, General Counsel for the Department of Criminal Justice, has determined this applies to the following Advisory Committees: the Judicial Advisory Council ("JAC"), established by Government Code §493.003(b), and the Texas State Council on Interstate Adult Offender Supervision ("CIAOS") established by Government Code Chapter 510 (as enacted by House Bill 2494, Session Laws Chapter 543, 77th Legislature, Regular Session), which is exempt from certain provisions of Government Code Chapter 2110.

Brad Livingston, Chief Financial Officer for TDCJ has determined that for the first five years the rule will be in effect, enforcing or administering the rule does not have foreseeable implications related to costs or revenues for state or local government.

Mr. Livingston has also determined that there will be no economic impact on persons required to comply with the rule, and that the public benefit expected as a result of the proposed rule is the orderly management of state agency Advisory Committees in accordance with State law.

Comments should be directed to Carl Reynolds, General Counsel, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, P.O. Box 13084, Austin, Texas 78711, Carl.Reynolds@tdcj.state.tx.us. Written comments from the general public should be received within 30 days of the publication of this proposal.

The new section is proposed under Texas Government Code, §492.013, which grants general rulemaking authority to the Board and Texas Government Code, Chapter 2110, which requires this section, §493.003(b), which establishes the Judicial Advisory Council, and Chapter 510, which establishes the Council on Interstate Adult Offender Supervision.

Cross Reference to Statutes: Texas Government Code, Chapter 2110, §493.003(b), and Chapter 510.

§151.8.Advisory Committees.

(a) General. This section identifies advisory committees related to TDCJ and established by or under state law. TDCJ Financial Services shall annually evaluate each committee's work, usefulness, and costs of existence, and report that information biennially to the Legislative Budget Board.

(b) Judicial Advisory Council ("JAC"). The JAC exists pursuant to Government Code §493.003(b). The purpose, tasks, and reporting procedure for the JAC are described in §161.21 of this title (relating to Role of the Judicial Advisory Council).

(c) Council on Interstate Adult Offender Supervision ("CIAOS"). Pursuant to Government Code Chapter 510, the CIAOS shall advise the administrator for the Interstate Compact for Adult Offender Supervision and the state's commissioner to the Interstate Commission for Adult Offender Supervision, on the state's participation in commission activities and the administration of the compact. The presiding officer of the CIAOS, or a designee, shall report to the Texas Board of Criminal Justice prior to and after each meeting of the Interstate Commission for Adult Offender Supervision.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 4, 2002.

TRD-200202124

Carl Reynolds

General Counsel

Texas Department of Criminal Justice

Earliest possible date of adoption: May 19, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 463-0422


Part 7. TEXAS COMMISSION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER STANDARDS AND EDUCATION

Chapter 217. LICENSING REQUIREMENTS

37 TAC §217.7

The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (Commission) proposes an amendment to Title 37, Texas Administrative Code by amending §217.7, concerning the reporting the appointment and termination of a licensee. In §217.7, the Commission clarifies that new licensing standards do not apply to current licensees unless their license has expired. The change of the word affidavit for the word statement in subsection (e)(4) of this section is for consistency purposes. The only other proposed change to this subsection is to the effective date in subsection (i) of this section.

The Commission has determined that for each year of the first five years the section as proposed will be in effect, there will not be fiscal implications to state or local governments as a result of administering the section.

The Commission has determined that for each year of the first five years the section as proposed will be in effect, there will a positive benefit to the public by encouraging the retention of licensees in good standing. There are no anticipated economic costs to large, small, or micro businesses as a result of the proposed section. There will be no costs to persons who are required to comply with the section as proposed.

Comments may be submitted in writing to Dr. D.C. Jim Dozier, Executive Director, Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, 6330 U.S. Highway 290 East, Suite 200, Austin, Texas 78723.

The amendment is proposed under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1701, §1701.151, General Powers which authorized the Commission to promulgate rules for the administration of this chapter.

The following statute is affected by this proposed rule: Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1701, §1701.451, Preemployment Inquiry.

§217.7.Reporting the Appointment and Termination of a Licensee.

(a) - (c) (No change.)

(d) Before appointing a licensee whose [ who already holds a commission ] license has expired , an agency shall ensure that the person meets the current minimum standards for licensure.

(e) If the appointment is made after a 180-day break in appointment, the agency must have the following on file and readily accessible to the commission:

(1) - (3) (No change.)

(4) two completed applicant fingerprint cards or, pending receipt of such cards, an original sworn, notarized affidavit [ statement ] by the applicant:

(A) (No change.)

(B) that he or she meets the current academy enrollment standards. Such [ such ] affidavit may be maintained by the agency while awaiting the return of completed applicant fingerprint card.

(f) - (h) (No change.)

(i) The effective date of this section is September [ March ] 1, 2002.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 4, 2002.

TRD-200202121

Edward T. Laine

Chief, Professional Standards and Administrative Operations

Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education

Proposed date of adoption: June 7, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 936-7700


37 TAC §217.19

The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (Commission) proposes an amendment to Title 37, Texas Administrative Code by amending §217.19, concerning reactivation of a license. In §217.19, the Commission clarifies in subsections (b) and (c) of this section that the reactivation standards are contained in subsection (g), not subsections (f) and (g) by deleting references to subsection (f) of this section. The only other proposed change to this section is to the effective date in subsection (h) of this section.

The Commission has determined that for each year of the first five years the section as proposed will be in effect, there will not be fiscal implications to state or local governments as a result of administering the section.

The Commission has determined that for each year of the first five years the section as proposed will be in effect, there will a positive benefit to the public by encouraging the retention of licensees in good standing. There are no anticipated economic costs to large, small, or micro businesses as a result of the proposed section. There will be no costs to persons who are required to comply with the section as proposed.

Comments may be submitted in writing to Dr. D.C. Jim Dozier, Executive Director, Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, 6330 U.S. Highway 290 East, Suite 200, Austin, Texas 78723.

The amendment is proposed under Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1701, §1701.151 which authorized the Commission to promulgate rules for the administration of this chapter.

The following statute is affected by this proposed rule: Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1701, §1701.316, Reactivation Of Peace Officer License.

§217.19.Reactivation of a License.

(a) (No change.)

(b) Individuals with basic licensure training over two years old must meet the requirements of §217.19 [ (f) and ] (g) before they may be appointed.

(c) Individuals with basic licensure examination results over two years old must meet the requirements of §217.19 [ (f) and ] (g) before they may be appointed.

(d) - (g) (No change.)

(h) The effective date of this section is September [ March ] 1, 2002.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 8, 2002.

TRD-200202168

Edward T. Laine

Chief, Professional Standards and Administrative Operations

Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education

Proposed date of adoption: June 7, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 936-7700


Chapter 221. PROFICIENCY CERTIFICATES AND OTHER POST-BASIC LICENSES

37 TAC §221.29

The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (Commission) proposes a new rule to Title 37, Texas Administrative Code by adding §221.29, concerning minimum standards for the awarding of a special investigator proficiency certificate. In §221.29(a), the Commission establishes the minimum qualifications to received a special investigator proficiency training certificate by requiring two years full time salaried experience as a peace officer, an intermediate certificate, completion of a specified training course, and never having had a license suspended or revoked. The effective date is subsection (b) of this section.

The Commission has determined that for each year of the first five years the section as proposed will be in effect, there will not be fiscal implications to state or local governments as a result of administering the section. Since the training is being developed under grant funding, there are only minor costs to the Commission. A cost recovery fee will be set by the Commission to offset the cost for the actual issuance of the certificates.

The Commission has determined that for each year of the first five years the section as proposed will be in effect, there will a positive benefit to the public by encouraging more training for law enforcement officers in the areas of family violence investigations and sexual assault investigations. Since the program is voluntary, the program requires no local costs for the next five years. The cost of the training is funded by a grant. The Criminal Justice Division of the Governor's Office has funded a project to increase the investigative skills of Texas Peace Officers in cases involving family violence and sexual assault. The awarding of this certificate will serve as a positive incentive to obtain this training. There are no anticipated economic costs to large, small, or micro businesses as a result of the proposed section. There will be no costs to persons who are required to comply with the section as proposed.

Comments may be submitted in writing to Dr. D.C. Jim Dozier, Executive Director, Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, 6330 U.S. Highway 290 East, Suite 200, Austin, Texas 78723.

The new section is proposed under Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1701, §1701.151 which authorized the Commission to promulgate rules for the administration of this chapter.

The following statute is affected by this proposed rule: Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1701, §1701.402, Proficiency Certificates.

§221.29.Special Investigator Certificate.

(a) To qualify for a special investigator certificate, an applicant must meet all proficiency requirements, including:

(1) at least two years full time salaried experience as a peace officer;

(2) an intermediate peace officer certificate; and

(3) successful completion of the current family violence and sexual assault investigator certification course(s) reported by the approved training provider.

(b) The effective date of this section is September 1, 2002.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 4, 2002.

TRD-200202122

Edward T. Laine

Chief, Professional Standards and Administrative Operations

Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education

Proposed date of adoption: June 7, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 936-7700