Vote Recommendation | Economic Freedom | Property Rights | Personal Responsibility | Limited Government | Individual Liberty |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
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.
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.