Bill

SB 511

86(R) - 2019
Senate Transportation
House Transportation
Senate Transportation
House Transportation
Transportation & Infrastructure

Vote Recommendation

Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral
  • Neutral

Author(s)

José Rodríguez

Sponsor(s)

Travis Clardy

Bill Caption

Relating to the installation of unsafe motor vehicle tires; providing a civil penalty.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

SB 511 would create a civil penalty if an owner or operator of a business that installs tires on motor vehicles, or an employee of the person, who "knowingly" installs an unsafe tire on a motor vehicle to be used on a public street or highway. This includes tread less than one-sixteenth of an inch deep; a localized worn spot that exposes the ply or cord; a tread or sidewall crack, cut, or snag as measured on the outside of the tire that is more than one inch long and exposes the body cords; and any visible bump, bulge, or knot apparently related to treat or sidewall separation or partial failure of the tire structure, among other things.

A person who violates this provision would be liable to the state for a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $500. Also, this does not apply to the reinstallation of a tire on a motor vehicle that had been removed from the motor vehicle.

Vote Recommendation Notes

When the bill was in the Senate we recommended an amendment to add the word "knowingly" so that a person would not be liable for a penalty for making a simple mistake. A floor amendment to that effect was adopted. Texas Action remains neutral on SB 511 because it does not affect our liberty principles.