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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the fines for and other enforcement of laws providing |
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for the operation of oversize or overweight vehicles. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 622.017, Transportation Code, as amended |
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by Chapter 942 (S.B. 889), Acts of the 77th Legislature, Regular |
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Session, 2001, and repealed by Chapter 941 (S.B. 886), Acts of the |
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77th Legislature, Regular Session, 2001, is reenacted and amended |
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to read as follows: |
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Sec. 622.017. PENALTY. [(d)] A person commits an offense if |
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the person fails in violation of Section 622.013(c) to carry or |
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present the copy of the bond filed with the department. An offense |
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under this section [subsection] is a misdemeanor punishable by a |
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fine not to exceed $1,000 [$200]. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter C, Chapter 622, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 622.033 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 622.033. PENALTIES. (a) A person commits an offense if |
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the person violates Section 622.031. Except as provided by |
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Subsections (b) and (c), an offense under this section is a |
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misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000. |
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(b) If it is shown at the trial of the offense that the |
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defendant was previously convicted of an offense under Subsection |
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(a) not earlier than one year before the trial date, the offense is |
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a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $2,500. |
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(c) If it is shown at the trial of the offense that the |
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defendant was previously convicted of an offense punishable under |
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this subsection or Subsection (b) not earlier than one year before |
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the trial date, the offense is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of |
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not more than $1,750. |
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SECTION 3. Section 622.072(c), Transportation Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(c) An offense under this section is a misdemeanor |
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punishable by a fine of not less than $50 [$10] or more than $200 |
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[$100] for each unit. |
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SECTION 4. Sections 622.073(b) and (c), Transportation |
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Code, are amended to read as follows: |
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(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), an offense under |
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this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not less than |
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$200 [$25] or more than $750 [$200]. |
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(c) An offense under this section is a misdemeanor |
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punishable by a fine of not less than $700 [$200] or more than |
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$1,500 [$500], confinement in the county jail for a term of not less |
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than 60 days or more than 180 days, or both the fine and the |
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confinement if: |
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(1) the person committing the offense fails or refuses |
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to exhibit, on demand of a peace officer, a document that contains: |
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(A) the name, address, and telephone number of |
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the owner of the unit of special mobile equipment; |
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(B) the place of origin of the unit, including |
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the address of and telephone number at that point and the date the |
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unit was picked up; |
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(C) the destination of the unit, including the |
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address or telephone number; |
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(D) a description of the unit being transported, |
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including the manufacturer's serial number and other |
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identification numbers; |
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(E) a description of the motor vehicle |
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transporting the unit; and |
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(F) the name, address, and telephone number of |
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the person operating the motor vehicle transporting the unit; |
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(2) the person committing the offense exhibits a false |
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or forged document purporting to contain the information described |
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by Subdivision (1); or |
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(3) on inspection by the peace officer, the peace |
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officer determines that the identification number of the unit of |
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special mobile equipment has been removed, covered, or altered. |
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SECTION 5. Section 622.136, Transportation Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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Sec. 622.136. PENALTY. (a) A person commits an offense if |
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the person fails in violation of Section 622.134(d) to carry or |
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present the copy of the bond filed with the department. Except as |
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provided by Subsections (b) and (c), an [An] offense under this |
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section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $1,000 |
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[$200]. |
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(b) If it is shown at the trial of the offense that the |
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defendant was previously convicted of an offense under Subsection |
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(a) not earlier than one year before the trial date, the offense is |
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a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $2,500. |
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(c) If it is shown at the trial of the offense that the |
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defendant was previously convicted of an offense punishable under |
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this subsection or Subsection (b) not earlier than one year before |
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the trial date, the offense is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of |
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not more than $1,750. |
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SECTION 6. Section 623.011(f), Transportation Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(f) A person commits an offense if the person fails to |
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display the sticker in the manner required by Subsection (d). An |
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offense under this subsection is a [Class C] misdemeanor punishable |
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by a fine of not less than $250 or more than $400. Section |
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623.019(g) applies to an offense under this subsection. |
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SECTION 7. Sections 623.019(b), (c), (d), and (f), |
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Transportation Code, are amended to read as follows: |
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(b) Except as provided by Subsections (c) and (d), an |
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offense under Subsection (a) is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine |
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of not less than $2,500 [$100] or more than $5,000 [$150]. |
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(c) An offense under Subsection (a) is a misdemeanor and, |
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except as provided by Subsection (d), is punishable by a fine of: |
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(1) not less than $500 [$300] or more than $750 [$500] |
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if the offense involves a vehicle having a gross weight that is |
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heavier than 1,000 [5,000] but not heavier than 5,000 [10,000] |
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pounds over the vehicle's allowable gross weight; [or] |
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(2) not less than $1,000 or more than $2,500 if the |
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offense involves a vehicle having a gross weight that is heavier |
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than 5,000 pounds but not heavier than 10,000 pounds over the |
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vehicle's allowable gross weight; |
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(3) not less than $3,000 or more than $5,000 if the |
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offense involves a vehicle having a gross weight that is heavier |
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than 10,000 pounds but not heavier than 20,000 pounds over the |
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vehicle's allowable gross weight; or |
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(4) not less than $10,000 [$500] or more than $25,000 |
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[$1,000] if the offense involves a vehicle having a gross weight |
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that is heavier than 20,000 [at least 10,000] pounds over [heavier
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than] the vehicle's allowable gross weight. |
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(d) Except as otherwise provided by this section, on [On] |
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conviction before the first anniversary of the date of a previous |
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conviction under Subsection (a), an offense is punishable by a fine |
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in an amount that is twice the amount specified by Subsection (c). |
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On a second or subsequent conviction before the first anniversary |
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of the date of a previous conviction under Subsection (a), an |
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offense is punishable by a fine in an amount that is three times the |
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amount specified by Subsection (c) and forfeiture of the permit. |
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(f) A justice of the peace has jurisdiction of any offense |
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under this section. A municipal court has jurisdiction of an |
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offense under this section in which the fine does not exceed $500. |
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A county or district court has jurisdiction of an offense under this |
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section in which the fine exceeds $10,000. |
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SECTION 8. Section 623.082(b), Transportation Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), an offense under |
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this section is a misdemeanor punishable: |
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(1) by a fine of not more than $2,500 [$200]; |
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(2) on conviction within one year after the date of a |
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prior conviction under this section that was punishable under |
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Subdivision (1), by a fine of not more than $5,000 [$500], by |
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confinement in the county jail for not more than 60 days, or by both |
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the fine and the confinement; or |
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(3) on conviction within one year after the date of a |
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prior conviction under this section that was punishable under |
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Subdivision (2) or this subdivision, by a fine of not more than |
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$4,000 [$1,000], by confinement in the county jail for not more than |
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six months, or by both the fine and the confinement. |
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SECTION 9. Section 623.104(b), Transportation Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(b) A person convicted of an offense under Subsection (a) |
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may also be assessed a civil penalty of not less than $3,000 [$200] |
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or more than $5,000 [$500] for failure to: |
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(1) obtain a permit; |
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(2) have a required rotating amber beacon on the |
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manufactured house or towing vehicle; |
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(3) provide a required escort flag vehicle; or |
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(4) have the required insurance. |
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SECTION 10. Section 623.105(b), Transportation Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(b) An offense under this section is a misdemeanor |
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punishable by a fine of $5,000 [$1,000]. |
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SECTION 11. Subchapter G, Chapter 623, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 623.151 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 623.151. CRIMINAL AND CIVIL PENALTIES. (a) A person |
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commits an offense if the person violates a provision of this |
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subchapter. An offense under this subsection is a Class C |
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misdemeanor. |
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(b) A person convicted of an offense under Subsection (a) |
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may also be assessed a civil penalty of not less than $3,000 or more |
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than $5,000 for failure to comply with a rule of the board or with a |
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condition placed on a permit issued under this subchapter. The |
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civil penalty: |
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(1) may be awarded by a court having jurisdiction over |
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a Class C misdemeanor; and |
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(2) shall be paid to the county in which the person was |
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convicted. |
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SECTION 12. Section 623.165, Transportation Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 623.165. PENALTY. (a) A person commits an offense if |
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the person fails in violation of Section 623.163(d) to carry or |
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present the copy of the bond filed with the department. An offense |
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under this section is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to |
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exceed $2,000 [$200]. |
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(b) A person convicted of an offense under Subsection (a) |
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may also be assessed a civil penalty of not less than $3,000 or more |
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than $5,000 for failure to obtain a bond required by this |
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subchapter. The civil penalty: |
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(1) may be awarded by a court having jurisdiction over |
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misdemeanors; and |
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(2) shall be paid to the county in which the person was |
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convicted. |
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SECTION 13. Subchapter J, Chapter 623, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 623.201 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 623.201. CRIMINAL AND CIVIL PENALTIES. (a) A person |
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commits an offense if the person violates a provision of this |
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subchapter. An offense under this subsection is a Class C |
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misdemeanor. |
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(b) A person convicted of an offense under Subsection (a) |
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may also be assessed a civil penalty of not less than $3,000 or more |
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than $5,000 for failure to comply with a rule of the board or with a |
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condition placed on a permit issued under this subchapter. The |
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civil penalty: |
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(1) may be awarded by a court having jurisdiction over |
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a Class C misdemeanor; and |
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(2) shall be paid to the county in which the person was |
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convicted. |
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SECTION 14. Subchapter K, Chapter 623, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 623.220 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 623.220. CRIMINAL AND CIVIL PENALTIES. (a) A person |
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commits an offense if the person violates a provision of this |
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subchapter. An offense under this subsection is a misdemeanor |
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punishable by a fine of not less than $500 or more than $750. |
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(b) A person convicted of an offense under Subsection (a) |
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may also be assessed a civil penalty of not less than $3,000 or more |
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than $5,000 for violation of this subchapter. The civil penalty: |
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(1) may be awarded by a court having jurisdiction over |
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misdemeanors; and |
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(2) shall be paid to the county in which the person was |
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convicted. |
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SECTION 15. Subchapter L, Chapter 623, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 623.240 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 623.240. CRIMINAL AND CIVIL PENALTIES. (a) A person |
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commits an offense if the person violates a provision of this |
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subchapter. An offense under this subsection is a misdemeanor |
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punishable by a fine of not less than $500 or more than $750. |
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(b) A person convicted of an offense under Subsection (a) |
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may also be assessed a civil penalty of not less than $3,000 or more |
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than $5,000 for failure to comply with a rule of the Texas |
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Transportation Commission related to a permit issued under this |
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subchapter. The civil penalty: |
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(1) may be awarded by a court having jurisdiction over |
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misdemeanors; and |
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(2) shall be paid to the county in which the person was |
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convicted. |
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SECTION 16. Subchapter M, Chapter 623, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 623.260 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 623.260. CRIMINAL AND CIVIL PENALTIES. (a) A person |
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commits an offense if the person violates a provision of this |
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subchapter. An offense under this subsection is a misdemeanor |
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punishable by a fine of not less than $500 or more than $750. |
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(b) A person convicted of an offense under Subsection (a) |
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may also be assessed a civil penalty of not less than $3,000 or more |
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than $5,000 for failure to comply with a rule of the Texas |
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Transportation Commission related to a permit issued under this |
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subchapter. The civil penalty: |
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(1) may be awarded by a court having jurisdiction over |
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misdemeanors; and |
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(2) shall be paid to the county in which the person was |
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convicted. |
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SECTION 17. Subchapter O, Chapter 623, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 623.289 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 623.289. CRIMINAL AND CIVIL PENALTIES. (a) A person |
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commits an offense if the person violates a provision of this |
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subchapter. An offense under this subsection is a misdemeanor |
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punishable by a fine of not less than $500 or more than $750. |
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(b) A person convicted of an offense under Subsection (a) |
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may also be assessed a civil penalty of not less than $3,000 or more |
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than $5,000 for failure to comply with a rule of the Texas |
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Transportation Commission related to a permit issued under this |
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subchapter. The civil penalty: |
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(1) may be awarded by a court having jurisdiction over |
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misdemeanors; and |
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(2) shall be paid to the county in which the person was |
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convicted. |
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SECTION 18. Subchapter P, Chapter 623, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 623.311 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 623.311. CRIMINAL AND CIVIL PENALTIES. (a) A person |
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commits an offense if the person violates a provision of this |
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subchapter. An offense under this subsection is a misdemeanor |
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punishable by a fine of not less than $500 or more than $750. |
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(b) A person convicted of an offense under Subsection (a) |
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may also be assessed a civil penalty of not less than $3,000 or more |
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than $5,000 for failure to comply with a rule of the Texas |
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Transportation Commission related to a permit issued under this |
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subchapter. The civil penalty: |
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(1) may be awarded by a court having jurisdiction over |
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misdemeanors; and |
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(2) shall be paid to the county in which the person was |
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convicted. |
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SECTION 19. The changes in law made by this Act apply only |
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to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act. |
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An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is |
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governed by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed, |
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and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For |
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purposes of this section, an offense was committed before the |
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effective date of this Act if any element of the offense occurred |
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before that date. |
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SECTION 20. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |