Sec. 382.210. IMPLEMENTATION GUIDELINES AND REQUIREMENTS. (a) The commission by rule shall adopt guidelines to assist a participating county in implementing a low-income vehicle repair assistance, retrofit, and accelerated vehicle retirement program authorized under Section 382.209. The guidelines at a minimum shall recommend:

(1) a minimum and maximum amount for repair assistance;

(2) a minimum and maximum amount toward the purchase price of a replacement vehicle qualified for the accelerated retirement program, based on vehicle type and model year, with the maximum amount not to exceed:

(A) $3,000 for a replacement car of the current model year or the previous three model years, except as provided by Paragraph (C);

(B) $3,000 for a replacement truck of the current model year or the previous two model years, except as provided by Paragraph (C); and

(C) $3,500 for a replacement vehicle of the current model year or the previous three model years that:

(i) is a hybrid vehicle, electric vehicle, or natural gas vehicle; or

(ii) has been certified to meet federal Tier 2, Bin 3 or a cleaner Bin certification under 40 C.F.R. Section 86.1811-04, as published in the February 10, 2000, Federal Register;

(3) criteria for determining eligibility, taking into account:

(A) the vehicle owner's income, which may not exceed 300 percent of the federal poverty level;

(B) the fair market value of the vehicle; and

(C) any other relevant considerations;

(4) safeguards for preventing fraud in the repair, purchase, or sale of a vehicle in the program; and

(5) procedures for determining the degree and amount of repair assistance a vehicle is allowed, based on:

(A) the amount of money the vehicle owner has spent on repairs;

(B) the vehicle owner's income; and

(C) any other relevant factors.

(b) A replacement vehicle described by Subsection (a)(2) must:

(1) except as provided by Subsection (c), be a vehicle in a class or category of vehicles that has been certified to meet federal Tier 2, Bin 5 or a cleaner Bin certification under 40 C.F.R. Section 86.1811-04, as published in the February 10, 2000, Federal Register;

(2) have a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 10,000 pounds;

(3) have an odometer reading of not more than 70,000 miles; and

(4) be a vehicle the total cost of which does not exceed:

(A) for a vehicle described by Subsection (a)(2)(A) or (B), $35,000; or

(B) for a vehicle described by Subsection (a)(2)(C), $45,000.

(c) The commission may adopt any revisions made by the federal government to the emissions standards described by Subsection (b)(1).

(d) A participating county shall provide an electronic means for distributing vehicle repair or replacement funds once all program criteria have been met with regard to the repair or replacement. The county shall ensure that funds are transferred to a participating dealer under this section not later than the 10th business day after the date the county receives proof of the sale and any required administrative documents from the participating dealer.

(e) In rules adopted under this section, the commission shall require a mandatory procedure that:

(1) produces a document confirming that a person is eligible to purchase a replacement vehicle in the manner provided by this chapter, and the amount of money available to the participating purchaser;

(2) provides that a person who seeks to purchase a replacement vehicle in the manner provided by this chapter is required to have the document required by Subdivision (1) before the person enters into negotiation for a replacement vehicle in the manner provided by this chapter; and

(3) provides that a participating dealer who relies on a document issued as required by Subdivision (1) has no duty to otherwise confirm the eligibility of a person to purchase a replacement vehicle in the manner provided by this chapter.

(f) In this section, "total cost" means the total amount of money paid or to be paid for the purchase of a motor vehicle as set forth as "sales price" in the form entitled "Application for Texas Certificate of Title" promulgated by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. In a transaction that does not involve the use of that form, the term means an amount of money that is equivalent, or substantially equivalent, to the amount that would appear as "sales price" on the Application for Texas Certificate of Title if that form were involved.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1075, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2001.

Amended by:

Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 262 (S.B. 12), Sec. 1.04, eff. June 8, 2007.

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 933 (H.B. 3097), Sec. 3F.02, eff. September 1, 2009.

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1125 (H.B. 1796), Sec. 12, eff. September 1, 2009.

Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 347 (H.B. 3272), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2011.