Unless specifically defined in Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 382, also known as the Texas Clean Air Act (TCAA), or in the rules of the commission, the terms used by the commission have the meanings commonly ascribed to them in the field of air pollution control. In addition to the terms which are defined by the TCAA, the following words and terms, when used in this chapter, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
(1) Dual-fuel vehicle--Any motor vehicle or motor vehicle engine engineered and designed to be operated on two different fuels, but not a mixture of the two.
(2) Emergency vehicle--A vehicle defined as an authorized emergency vehicle according to Texas Transportation Code, §541.201(1).
(3) Emissions--The emissions of oxides of nitrogen, volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide, particulate, or any combination of these substances.
(4) First safety inspection certificate--Initial Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) certificates issued through DPS-certified inspection stations for every new vehicle found to be in compliance with the rules and regulations governing safety inspections. Beginning on the single sticker transition date as defined in this section, the safety inspection certificates will no longer be used.
(5) First vehicle registration--Initial vehicle registration insignia sticker issued through the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles for every new vehicle found to be in compliance with the rules and regulations governing vehicle registration prior to the single sticker transition date as defined in this section and vehicle registration and safety inspections beginning on the single sticker transition date.
(6) Gross vehicle weight rating--The value specified by the manufacturer as the maximum design loaded weight of a vehicle. This is the weight as expressed on the vehicle's registration and includes the weight the vehicle can carry or draw.
(7) Law enforcement vehicle--Any vehicle controlled by a local government and primarily operated by a civilian or military police officer or sheriff, or by state highway patrols, or other similar law enforcement agencies, and used for the purpose of law enforcement activities including, but not limited to, chase, apprehension, surveillance, or patrol of people engaged in or potentially engaged in unlawful activities.
(8) Single sticker transition date--The transition date of the single sticker system is the later of March 1, 2015, or the date that the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and the Texas Department of Public Safety concurrently implement the single sticker system required by Texas Transportation Code, §502.047.
(9) Texas Inspection and Maintenance State Implementation Plan--The portion of the Texas state implementation plan that includes the procedures and requirements of the vehicle emissions inspection and maintenance program as adopted by the commission and approved by the EPA. A copy of the Texas Inspection and Maintenance State Implementation Plan is available at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, 12100 Park 35 Circle, Austin, Texas, 78753; mailing address: P.O. Box 13087, MC 206, Austin, Texas 78711-3087.
(10) Vehicle registration--Vehicle characteristics, corresponding owner information, and registration expiration date contained in the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles registration system.
(11) Vehicle registration insignia sticker--The sticker issued through the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or county tax assessor-collector for a vehicle compliant with the DMV regulations. Beginning on the single sticker transition date as defined in this section, the vehicle registration insignia sticker, a current valid VIR, or other form of proof authorized by the DPS or the DMV will be used as proof of compliance with inspection and maintenance program requirements, the DMV's rules and regulations governing vehicle registration, and the Texas Department of Public Safety's rules and regulations governing safety inspections.
Source Note: The provisions of this §114.1 adopted to be effective December 1, 1997, 22 TexReg 11388; amended to be effective August 20, 1998, 23 TexReg 8441; amended to be effective July 21, 1999, 24 TexReg 5474; amended to be effective May 11, 2000, 25 TexReg 3996; amended to be effective October 7, 2004, 29 TexReg 9374; amended to be effective July 19, 2007, 32 TexReg 4400; amended to be effective March 6, 2014, 39 TexReg 1400; amended to be effective April 21, 2022, 47 TexReg 2013; amended to be effective December 21, 2023, 48 TexReg7574