TITLE 16.ECONOMIC REGULATION

Part 1. RAILROAD COMMISSION OF TEXAS

Chapter 9. LP-GAS SAFETY RULES

Subchapter A. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

16 TAC §9.9, §9.51

The Railroad Commission of Texas adopts amendments to §9.9, relating to Requirements for Certificate Renewal, and §9.51, relating to General Requirements for Training and Continuing Education, without changes from the versions published in the November 18, 2005, issue of the Texas Register (30 TexReg 7645). The Commission adopts these amendments to improve the efficiency and recover the cost of administering LP-gas examinations, examination renewals and training requirements for persons who handle LP-gas in the course of their employment with a state agency, county, municipality, school district, or other governmental subdivision, and who elect to become Railroad Commission certified to perform LP-gas activities even though they are not required to do so and would not be required to do so under the amendments as proposed. Aside from some competitive grants, the Commission's LP-gas training and continuing education program is funded entirely from receipts of LP-gas certified individuals' $35 annual examination renewal fees and $75 per day seminar fees, which are appropriated to the Commission for the training and continuing education program by a rider in the General Appropriations Act. No state general tax revenue is appropriated or used to fund this program. For this reason, it is important that the Commission recover the cost of providing LP-gas training and continuing education services to employees of public organizations who voluntarily elect to become certified. The Commission adopts an effective date of March 1, 2006, for these amendments.

In §9.9, the Commission removes the sentence in subsection (c) that authorizes the exemption from annual certificate renewal fees for employees of a state agency, county, municipality, school district, or other governmental subdivision.

In §9.51(b)(3)(C), the Commission amends the current exemption from training and continuing education requirements for employees of a state agency, county, municipality, school district, or other governmental subdivision. As amended, the employees of these public entities that are or become certified would be subject to the Commission's training and continuing education requirements. In subsection (b)(4), the Commission amends the wording to clarify that all employers must properly supervise all of their employees who perform LP-gas activities, whether or not the employees are certified; that all public-entity employers must properly train their uncertified employees, but only those who perform LP-gas activities; that all public-entity employees who perform any LP-gas activity must be trained, not just those who service or refuel LP-gas vehicles; and that either the employer or a competent person other than the employer may provide the training, e.g., a Railroad Commission Category E licensee, an RRC-authorized outside trainer, or an AFRED instructor. In subsection (f)(2)(E), the Commission removes the exemption from payment of the non-credit class fee for political subdivisions, and will authorize waiver of the fees if the Commission recovers its costs for a class from another source, such as from a competitive grant.

The Commission received no comments on the proposed amendments.

The Commission adopts the amendments pursuant to Texas Natural Resources Code, §113.051, which authorizes the Commission to adopt rules relating to any and all aspects or phases of the LP-gas industry that will protect or tend to protect the health, welfare, and safety of the general public; and §113.088, which requires the Commission to establish reasonable examination, course of instruction, and seminar registration fees, and authorizes, but does not require, the Commission to exempt public employees of the State of Texas or state subdivisions from the examination fee, the examination renewal fee, and seminar fees.

Statutory authority: Texas Natural Resources Code, §113.051 and §113.088.

Cross-reference to statute: Texas Natural Resources Code, Chapter 113.

Issued in Austin, Texas, on January 24, 2006.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 24, 2006.

TRD-200600379

Mary Ross McDonald

Managing Director

Railroad Commission of Texas

Effective date: March 1, 2006

Proposal publication date: November 18, 2005

For further information, please call: (512) 475-1295


Part 6. TEXAS MOTOR VEHICLE BOARD

Chapter 101. PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE

The Texas Department of Transportation (department) adopts the repeal of Title 16, Part 6, Chapter 101, which consists of Subchapter A, §§101.1 - 101.16, concerning general rules; Subchapter B, §§101.22 - 101.25, 101.27, and 101.28, concerning rulemaking proceedings and hearings; and Subchapter C, §§101.41 - 101.64, 101.66, and 101.67, concerning adjudicative proceedings and hearings. The repeal of §§101.1 - 101.16, 101.22 - 101.25, 101.27, 101.28, 101.41 - 101.64, 101.66, and 101.67 is adopted without changes to the proposal as published in the October 14, 2005, issue of the Texas Register (30 TexReg 6551) and will not be republished.

EXPLANATION OF REPEALS

House Bill 2702, 79th Legislature, Regular Session, 2005, dissolved the Motor Vehicle Board (board) and transferred its rulemaking responsibilities to the Texas Transportation Commission (commission). Therefore it is necessary to repeal Title 16, Part 6 and simultaneously adopt new sections under Title 43 to reflect the new delegation of duties and to transfer the rules to the appropriate title. Some sections are not reenacted because they were specific to board operations and are no longer necessary.

Subchapter A of Chapter 101, consisting of §§101.1 - 101.16, are the General Rules of Practice and Procedure relating to submissions to and practice before the director of the Motor Vehicle Division. These sections will be reenacted in Title 43, Chapter 8.

Subchapter B of Chapter 101, consisting of §§101.22 - 101.25, 101.27, and 101.28, relate to rulemaking by the board. Sections 101.22 - 101.25 and §101.27 are unnecessary and are not reenacted. Section 101.28 is reenacted in Chapter 8 of Title 43.

Subchapter C of Chapter 101, consisting of §§101.41 - 101.64, 101.66, and 101.67, relate to Adjudicative Proceedings and Hearings before the director of the Motor Vehicle Division. All sections except for §101.63, Filing of Documents for Consideration by Board Members, is reenacted in Chapter 8 of Title 43. Section 101.63 imposed deadlines for submission of documents that no longer apply, inasmuch as contested cases are no longer considered at regularly scheduled board meetings.

COMMENTS

The department conducted five statewide public hearings to receive comments concerning the repeals. No comments on the proposed repeals were received.

Subchapter A. GENERAL RULES

16 TAC §§101.1 - 101.16

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

The repeals are adopted under Transportation Code, §201.101, which provides the commission with the authority to establish rules for the conduct of the work of the department, and more specifically, Occupations Code, §2301.005(e) and §2301.155, which provides the commission with the authority to adopt rules to administer Occupations Code, Chapter 2301.

CROSS REFERENCE TO STATUTE

Occupations Code, §2301.002 and §2301.005.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 27, 2006.

TRD-200600434

Richard D. Monroe

General Counsel, Texas Department of Transportation

Texas Motor Vehicle Board

Effective date: February 16, 2006

Proposal publication date: October 14, 2005

For further information, please call: (512) 463-8630


Subchapter B. RULEMAKING PROCEEDINGS AND HEARINGS

16 TAC §§101.22 - 101.25, 101.27, 101.28

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

The repeals are adopted under Transportation Code, §201.101, which provides the commission with the authority to establish rules for the conduct of the work of the department, and more specifically, Occupations Code, §2301.005(e) and §2301.155, which provides the commission with the authority to adopt rules to administer Occupations Code, Chapter 2301.

CROSS REFERENCE TO STATUTE

Occupations Code, §2301.002 and §2301.005.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 27, 2006.

TRD-200600435

Richard D. Monroe

General Counsel, Texas Department of Transportation

Texas Motor Vehicle Board

Effective date: February 16, 2006

Proposal publication date: October 14, 2005

For further information, please call: (512) 463-8630


Subchapter C. ADJUDICATIVE PROCEEDINGS AND HEARINGS

16 TAC §§101.41 - 101.64, 101.66, 101.67

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

The repeals are adopted under Transportation Code, §201.101, which provides the commission with the authority to establish rules for the conduct of the work of the department, and more specifically, Occupations Code, §2301.005(e) and §2301.155, which provides the commission with the authority to adopt rules to administer Occupations Code, Chapter 2301.

CROSS REFERENCE TO STATUTE

Occupations Code, §2301.002 and §2301.005.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 27, 2006.

TRD-200600436

Richard D. Monroe

General Counsel, Texas Department of Transportation

Texas Motor Vehicle Board

Effective date: February 16, 2006

Proposal publication date: October 14, 2005

For further information, please call: (512) 463-8630


Chapter 103. GENERAL RULES

16 TAC §§103.1 - 103.17

The Texas Department of Transportation (department) adopts the repeal of Title 16, Part 6, Chapter 103, which consists of §§103.1 - 103.17, concerning general rules related to the licensing of motor vehicle dealers. This chapter provides guidance to licensed dealers regarding motor vehicle license renewals, protests, and franchises governed by the Occupations Code, Chapter 2301. The repeal of §§103.1 - 103.17 is adopted without changes to the proposal as published in the October 14, 2005, issue of the Texas Register (30 TexReg 6553) and will not be republished.

EXPLANATION OF REPEALS

House Bill 2702, 79th Legislature, Regular Session, 2005, dissolved the Motor Vehicle Board (board) and transferred its rulemaking responsibilities to the Texas Transportation Commission (commission). Therefore it is necessary to repeal Title 16, Part 6 and simultaneously adopt new sections under Title 43 to reflect the new delegation of duties and to transfer the rules to the appropriate title. Sections 103.1 - 103.16 are reenacted in Title 43, Chapter 8. Section 103.17, Motorized Scooters, is not reenacted.

House Bill 2702 also amended Transportation Code, Chapter 551, by defining "pocket bike or minimotorbike" as a self-propelled vehicle that is equipped with an electric motor or internal combustion engine having a piston displacement of less than 50 cubic centimeters, is designed to propel itself with not more than two wheels in contact with the ground, has a seat or saddle for the use of the operator, is not designed for use on a highway, and is ineligible for a certificate of title under Chapter 501. The amendments to Transportation Code, Chapter 551 further state that the statute may not be construed to authorize the operation of a pocket bike or minimotorbike on any highway, road, street, bicycle path or sidewalk.

Occupations Code, §2301.002(23)(A) defines a motor vehicle as "a fully self-propelled vehicle having two or more wheels that has as its primary purpose the transport of a person or persons, or property on a public highway . . ." The board previously adopted §103.17 to regulate sales of pocket bikes under the assumption that certain motorized scooters could be driven on public roadways based upon that statutory language.

House Bill 2702 makes it clear that pocket bikes may not be driven on public streets. Thus, pocket bikes do not fall under the definition of "motor vehicle" in Occupations Code, §2301.002(23)(A), and their distribution is no longer subject to regulation.

COMMENTS

The department conducted five statewide public hearings to receive comments concerning the repeals. No comments on the proposed repeals were received.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

The repeals are adopted under Transportation Code, §201.101, which provides the commission with the authority to establish rules for the conduct of the work of the department, and more specifically, Occupations Code, §2301.005(e) and §2301.155, which provides the commission with the authority to adopt rules to administer Occupations Code, Chapter 2301.

CROSS REFERENCE TO STATUTE

Occupations Code, §2301.002 and §2301.005.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 27, 2006.

TRD-200600437

Richard D. Monroe

General Counsel, Texas Department of Transportation

Texas Motor Vehicle Board

Effective date: February 16, 2006

Proposal publication date: October 14, 2005

For further information, please call: (512) 463-8630


Chapter 105. ADVERTISING

16 TAC §§105.1 - 105.17, 105.19 - 105.32

The Texas Department of Transportation (department) adopts the repeal of Title 16, Part 6, Chapter 105, which consists of §§105.1 - 105.17 and §§105.19 - 105.32, concerning advertising. The repeal of §§105.1 - 105.17 and §§105.19 - 105.32 is adopted without changes to the proposal as published in the October 14, 2005, issue of the Texas Register (30 TexReg 6554) and will not be republished.

EXPLANATION OF REPEALS

House Bill 2702, 79th Legislature, Regular Session, 2005, dissolved the Motor Vehicle Board (board) and transferred its rulemaking responsibilities to the Texas Transportation Commission (commission). Therefore it is necessary to repeal Title 16, Part 6 and simultaneously adopt new sections under Title 43 to reflect the new delegation of duties and to transfer the rules to the appropriate title. Chapter 105 is reenacted in Chapter 8 of Title 43.

COMMENTS

The department conducted five statewide public hearings to receive comments concerning the repeals. No comments on the proposed repeals were received.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

The repeals are adopted under Transportation Code, §201.101, which provides the commission with the authority to establish rules for the conduct of the work of the department, and more specifically, Occupations Code, §2301.005(e) and §2301.155, which provides the commission with the authority to adopt rules to administer Occupations Code, Chapter 2301.

CROSS REFERENCE TO STATUTE

Occupations Code, §§2301.002, 2301.005 and 2301.203(c).

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 27, 2006.

TRD-200600438

Richard D. Monroe

General Counsel, Texas Department of Transportation

Texas Motor Vehicle Board

Effective date: February 16, 2006

Proposal publication date: October 14, 2005

For further information, please call: (512) 463-8630


Chapter 107. WARRANTY PERFORMANCE OBLIGATIONS

16 TAC §§107.1 - 107.11

The Texas Department of Transportation (department) adopts the repeal of Title 16, Part 6, Chapter 107, which consists of §§107.1 - 107.11, concerning warranty performance obligations. The repeal of §§107.1 - 107.11 is adopted without changes to the proposal as published in the October 14, 2005, issue of the Texas Register (30 TexReg 6555) and will not be republished.

EXPLANATION OF REPEALS

House Bill 2702, 79th Legislature, Regular Session, 2005, dissolved the Motor Vehicle Board (board) and transferred its rulemaking responsibilities to the Texas Transportation Commission (commission). Therefore it is necessary to repeal Title 16, Part 6 and simultaneously adopt new sections under Title 43 to reflect the new delegation of duties and to transfer the rules to the appropriate title. Sections 107.1 - 107.10 will be reenacted in Title 43, Chapter 8. Section 107.11, Reports to Board, will not be reenacted because it is specific to board operations and no longer necessary.

COMMENTS

The department conducted five statewide public hearings to receive comments concerning the repeals. No comments on the proposed repeals were received.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

The repeals are adopted under Transportation Code, §201.101, which provides the commission with the authority to establish rules for the conduct of the work of the department, and more specifically, Occupations Code, §§2301.005(e), 2301.155, and 2301.602, which provides the commission with the authority to adopt rules to administer Occupations Code, Chapter 2301.

CROSS REFERENCE TO STATUTE

Occupations Code, §§2301.002, 2301.005, 2301.204 and 2301.601 - 2301.613.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 27, 2006.

TRD-200600439

Richard D. Monroe

General Counsel, Texas Department of Transportation

Texas Motor Vehicle Board

Effective date: February 16, 2006

Proposal publication date: October 14, 2005

For further information, please call: (512) 463-8630


Chapter 109. LESSORS AND LEASE FACILITATORS

16 TAC §§109.1 - 109.12

The Texas Department of Transportation (department) adopts the repeal of Title 16, Part 6, Chapter 109, which consists of §§109.1 - 109.12, concerning lessors and lease facilitators. The repeal of §§109.1 - 109.12 is adopted without changes to the proposal as published in the October 14, 2005, issue of the Texas Register (30 TexReg 6555) and will not be republished.

EXPLANATION OF REPEALS

House Bill 2702, 79th Legislature, Regular Session, 2005, dissolved the Motor Vehicle Board (board) and transferred its rulemaking responsibilities to the Texas Transportation Commission (commission). Therefore it is necessary to repeal Title 16, Part 6 and simultaneously adopt new sections under Title 43 to reflect the new delegation of duties and to transfer the rules to the appropriate title. Sections 109.1 - 109.7 and §§109.9 - 109.12 is reenacted in Chapter 8 of Title 43. Section 109.8, Refund of Fees, is not reenacted because it duplicates other rules regarding fees and is no longer necessary.

COMMENTS

The department conducted five statewide public hearings to receive comments concerning the repeals. No comments on the proposed repeals were received.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

The repeals are adopted under Transportation Code, §201.101, which provides the commission with the authority to establish rules for the conduct of the work of the department, and more specifically, Occupations Code, §2301.005(e) and §2301.155, which provides the commission with the authority to adopt rules to administer Occupations Code, Chapter 2301.

CROSS REFERENCE TO STATUTE

Occupations Code, §2301.002 and §2301.005.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 27, 2006.

TRD-200600440

Richard D. Monroe

General Counsel, Texas Department of Transportation

Texas Motor Vehicle Board

Effective date: February 16, 2006

Proposal publication date: October 14, 2005

For further information, please call: (512) 463-8630


Chapter 111. GENERAL DISTINGUISHING NUMBERS

The Texas Department of Transportation (department) adopts the repeal of Title 16, Part 6, Chapter 111, which consists of §§111.1 - 111.12 and §§111.14 - 111.20, concerning general distinguishing numbers. The repeal of §§111.1 - 111.12 and §§111.14 - 111.20 is adopted without changes to the proposal as published in the October 14, 2005, issue of the Texas Register (30 TexReg 6556) and will not be republished.

EXPLANATION OF REPEALS

House Bill 2702, 79th Legislature, Regular Session, 2005, dissolved the Motor Vehicle Board (board) and transferred its rulemaking responsibilities to the Texas Transportation Commission (commission). Therefore it is necessary to adopt the repeal of Title 16, Part 6 and simultaneously adopt new sections under Title 43 to reflect the new delegation of duties and to transfer the rules to the appropriate title. Chapter 111 will be reenacted in Chapter 8 of Title 43.

The effective date for the repeal of the temporary tag designs in §111.8 is delayed until April 30, 2006. The extension of this effective date allows for the continuation of the existing temporary tags during the transition stage for the new format required in new 43 TAC §8.138 and §8.146 adopted in conjunction with this repeal.

COMMENTS

The department conducted five statewide public hearings to receive comments concerning the repeals. No comments on the proposed repeals were received.

16 TAC §§111.1 - 111.7, 111.9 - 111.12, 111.14 - 111.20

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

The repeals are adopted under Transportation Code, §201.101, which provides the commission with the authority to establish rules for the conduct of the work of the department, and more specifically, Occupations Code, §2301.005(e) and §2301.155, which provides the commission with the authority to adopt rules to administer Occupations Code, Chapter 2301; and Transportation Code, §503.002, which provides the commission with the authority to adopt rules to administer Transportation Code, Chapter 503.

CROSS REFERENCE TO STATUTE

Occupations Code, §2301.002 and §2301.005, and Transportation Code, Chapter 503.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 27, 2006.

TRD-200600441

Richard D. Monroe

General Counsel, Texas Department of Transportation

Texas Motor Vehicle Board

Effective date: February 16, 2006

Proposal publication date: October 14, 2005

For further information, please call: (512) 463-8630


16 TAC §111.8

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

The repeal is adopted under Transportation Code, §201.101, which provides the commission with the authority to establish rules for the conduct of the work of the department, and more specifically, Occupations Code, §2301.005(e) and §2301.155, which provides the commission with the authority to adopt rules to administer Occupations Code, Chapter 2301; and Transportation Code, §503.002, which provides the commission with the authority to adopt rules to administer Transportation Code, Chapter 503.

CROSS REFERENCE TO STATUTE

Occupations Code, §2301.002 and §2301.005, and Transportation Code, Chapter 503.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 27, 2006.

TRD-200600442

Richard D. Monroe

General Counsel, Texas Department of Transportation

Texas Motor Vehicle Board

Effective date: April 30, 2006

Proposal publication date: October 14, 2005

For further information, please call: (512) 463-8630