Transportation
Development
BY HANNAH NORTON
BY CHLOE YOUNG
Texas vehicles no longer need safety inspections in 2025
Hill Country Community Ministries seeks funding to open nonpro t mall
Next steps
HCCM has raised approximately $4 million for the project, but will need to raise an additional $3-$4 million by late February to secure the $8.1 million property, Hollaway said. Hollaway provided a presentation on the nonpro t mall at a Cedar Park City Council meeting Dec. 12. Cedar Park City Council Member Heather Jefts signaled support for the program during the meeting. “This is something that could be transformative for the people on this side of the county, because we are all just one health crisis, one car crash away from needing her services,” Jefts said. People can donate by visiting HCCM’s website or contacting Hollaway at tiesa.hollaway@hccm.org or 512-259-0360, ext. 204.
Where its required
The $7.50 “inspection program replacement fee” will go to the state’s general revenue fund, a clean air account and the Texas Mobility Fund, which supports the construction and expansion of state highways. Drivers registering new vehicles will pay a $16.75 fee to cover two years, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Zooming in Electric vehicles will remain exempt from emis- sions tests, according to the DPS, and commercial vehicles—such as delivery trucks, buses and taxis— must still pass safety inspections. Texans still need to register their vehicles annu- ally with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. “Texans are responsible [and] ercely indepen- dent, and I trust them to keep their cars and trucks safe while on the road. ... I am proud to author this bill, which will free up over 40 million hours per year for Texas drivers,” Harris said.
As of Jan. 1, Texas drivers will no longer need to get an annual safety inspection to register their vehicles. However, vehicles must pass emissions tests in major metropolitan areas, and all drivers will pay a $7.50 inspection replacement fee when renewing their vehicle registration. State lawmak- ers approved the policy change, spearheaded by Rep. Cody Harris, R Palestine, during the 2023 legislative session. “With Texas being one of only a handful of states that still requires yearly safety inspections, eliminating the mandate is long overdue,” Harris said in a statement to Community Impact . “These inspections do not make roads safer, as evidenced by over 40 other states.” The details The new state law, House Bill 3297, eliminates mandatory safety inspections for noncommercial vehicles.
Texans with vehicles registered in the following counties will need to get an emissions test: • Brazoria
Hill Country Community Ministries submitted a letter of intent to purchase a 30,000-square-foot building behind Red Horn Brewery & Roastery in early December. The space would allow HCCM to expand its food pantry and partner with nonpro ts to provide medical, mental health and nancial services for veterans, children and seniors, said HCCM executive director Tiesa Hollaway. The nonpro t mall may serve as a satellite location for the Williamson County Children’s Advocacy Center, a center in Georgetown that responds to child abuse and neglect cases. Hollaway said she has spoken to several nonpro ts that are interested in joining the facility.
• Fort Bend • Galveston • Harris • Johnson • Kaufman • Montgomery
• Parker • Rockwall • Tarrant • Travis • Williamson
• Collin • Dallas • Denton • Ellis • El Paso
Hill Country Community Ministries is planning to expand operations for its charitable services.
SOURCE: TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNITY IMPACT
COURTESY HILL COUNTRY COMMUNITY MINISTRIES
HYMEADOW 12611 Hymeadow (512) 506-8401
NORTH 620 10601 N FM 620 (512) 506-8316
CEDAR PARK 13530 Ronald Reagan Blvd (512) 986-7681
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