H.B. No. 1959         AN ACT   relating to alternative registration technologies for commercial   motor vehicles.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 1003, Transportation Code, is amended by   adding Sections 1003.006 and 1003.007 to read as follows:          Sec. 1003.006.  STUDY ON REGISTRATION OF COMMERCIAL MOTOR   VEHICLES. (a) The department shall:                (1)  conduct a study that:                      (A)  identifies and assesses alternative   technologies for registering commercial motor vehicles to replace   license plates, permits, and other existing documentation and   registration methods currently in use in this state; and                      (B)  evaluates the safety and suitability for use   on roadways of the technologies identified under Paragraph (A); and                (2)  submit a report on the results of the study to the   governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of   representatives, and presiding officer of each legislative   standing committee with primary jurisdiction over transportation   issues not later than December 1, 2021.          (b)  The department may collaborate with another state   agency or a research division of an institution of higher education   in this state to conduct the study.          (c)  This section expires January 1, 2023.          Sec. 1003.007. PILOT PROGRAM FOR REGISTRATION OF COMMERCIAL   VEHICLES.  (a)  The department, in consultation with a state agency   or research division of an institution of higher education in this   state, may establish a limited pilot program that identifies,   implements, and assesses alternative technologies for registering   commercial motor vehicles to replace license plates, permits, and   other existing documentation and registration methods currently in   use in this state if the department determines that the program can   be implemented at no cost to the state and that the results of the   study conducted under Section 1003.006 indicate that the program is   feasible.          (b)  The program must:                (1)  evaluate the safety and suitability for use on   roadways of the alternative technologies identified under   Subsection (a); and                (2)  be funded through contributions by participants   who voluntarily opt into the program.          (c)  Not later than December 1, 2022, the department shall   submit a report on the results of the program to the governor,   lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of representatives, and   presiding officer of each legislative standing committee with   primary jurisdiction over transportation issues.          (d)  This section expires January 1, 2023.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives   a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as   provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this   Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this   Act takes effect September 1, 2017.       ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                   I certify that H.B. No. 1959 was passed by the House on May 9,   2017, by the following vote:  Yeas 143, Nays 2, 2 present, not   voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.   No. 1959 on May 26, 2017, by the following vote:  Yeas 137, Nays 7,   2 present, not voting.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House               I certify that H.B. No. 1959 was passed by the Senate, with   amendments, on May 24, 2017, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays   0.     ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate      APPROVED: __________________                   Date                       __________________                 Governor