(a) Need for agreement.
(1) Executive Order GWB 96-1, authorized by Senate Bill 178 (Chapter 34, Acts of the 74th Legislature, Regular Session, 1995), directs the commission to enter into an agreement with the department to provide for the establishment of an Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) program in accordance with Executive Order GWB 96-1, the Texas Clean Air Act (TCAA), and federal regulations.
(2) The commission and the department have agreed to develop this Memorandum of Understanding between these agencies. This agreement will supplement any previous Memoranda of Understanding between these two agencies or including these two agencies as participating parties.
(3) The agencies entering into this Memorandum of Understanding are establishing a formal mechanism by which they will coordinate I/M program planning, implementation, oversight, evaluation, and areas of primary responsibility. This Memorandum ofUnderstanding also provides for a system by which information developed by the commission and the department may be exchanged for the benefit of the I/M program.
(b) Definitions. Unless specifically defined in the TCAA, 37 Texas Administrative Code §23.93 concerning Vehicle Emissions Inspection Requirements, the department "Rules and Regulations Manual for Official Vehicle Inspection Stations and Certified Inspectors," §114.3 of this title (relating to Vehicle Emissions Inspection Requirements), or in other rules of the commission or the department, the terms used in this Memorandum of Understanding shall have the meanings commonly ascribed to them in the fields of air pollution control and vehicle inspection unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
(c) Responsibilities.
(1) The commission: (2) The department: (3) Both agencies agree to comply with the provisions of the Texas I/M SIP, including the most recent proposed revision signed by the Governor and submitted to the EPA on June 21, 1996, and the provisions of Executive Order GWB 96-1. (4) It is neither the department's nor the commission's intention to direct the other agency's activities by rule or otherwise. (d) Activities. (1) In consultation with the department, the commission will: (2) In consultation with the commission, the department will: (3) In order for both agencies to fulfill their respective program responsibilities, both agencies agree: (e) Dispute resolution. In the event that the commission and the department are not able to decide on a mutually agreeable plan of action with regard to the terms of this agreement, each agency shall inform the other of its concerns, in writing, and make a good faith effort to address the major concerns of the other party. (f) Reviews of and changes to the Memorandum of Understanding. (1) This Memorandum of Understanding shall be reviewed and updated, at a minimum, every fifth year from its effective date. Either party may suggest amendments when it feels such changes are warranted. (2) If a change in state or federal law or a change in the Texas SIP necessitates a change in this Memorandum of Understanding, then both the Director of the Mobile Source Division of the commission and the Directorof the Vehicle Inspection and Emissions program of the department or their respective staffs will meet to work out a mutually agreeable amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding. If such an amendment is not possible, then either party may require dispute resolution under subsection (e) of this section. (3) This Memorandum of Understanding may be terminated by either agency upon at least 30 days written notice.
Source Note: The provisions of this §7.110 adopted to be effective December 13, 1996, 21 TexReg 11790.