Sec. 547.101. RULES AND STANDARDS IN GENERAL. (a) The department may adopt rules necessary to administer this chapter.

(b) The department may adopt standards for vehicle equipment to:

(1) protect the public from unreasonable risk of death or injury; and

(2) enforce safety standards of the United States as permitted under the federal motor vehicle act.

(c) A department standard must:

(1) duplicate a standard of the United States that applies to the same aspect of vehicle equipment performance as the department standard; or

(2) if there is no standard of the United States for the same aspect of vehicle equipment performance as the department standard, conform as closely as possible to a relevant standard of the United States, similar standards established by other states, and a standard issued or endorsed by recognized national standard-setting organizations or agencies.

(d) The department may not adopt a vehicle equipment standard inconsistent with a standard provided by this chapter.

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.