Senate passes bill that would trigger end to vehicle emissions testing if federal law changes

The Texas Senate passed committee substitute House Bill 50,33 on May 25, a bill that would create a trigger mechanism allowing the state to eliminate vehicle emissions inspections in counties currently subject to federal Clean Air Act requirements if federal law is changed.

Senator Flores moved to suspend the regular order to consider the bill, telling colleagues that while the state ended many routine inspections last session, 17 counties remain subject to mandatory federal emissions testing. "To address this, House Bill 50,33 is a carefully crafted trigger mechanism that will allow for the elimination of vehicle emissions inspections if an act of Congress or a constitutional amendment were to give the states the legal authority to do so," Flores said on the floor.

The bill does not ban future locally tailored emissions reduction policies, Flores said; rather it removes the statewide, one‑size‑fits‑all obligation if federal constraints are lifted. On final passage the Senate recorded 21 ayes and 10 nays; the secretary announced "The bill is finally passed." The floor remarks record the Clean Air Act as the federal mandate that currently requires inspections in certain counties.

The transcript does not include implementing rule language or an effective date on the floor. The bill's passage means the Senate approved a statutory mechanism that would take effect if and when the specified federal change occurs.