SB1493

Regular Session

Relating to lighting equipment requirements for motor vehicles.

LowStandard timeline

Low Cost

Effective:2025-09-01

Enforcing Agencies

Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)

Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

Effective Date: September 1, 2025
Compliance Deadline: September 1, 2025 (Inspection stations must update pass/fail criteria by this date; dealers may begin lawful sales of compliant inventory).
Agency Rulemaking: The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) must update the Vehicle Inspection Manual to align with the new statute. Expect publication of these revisions in August 2025.

Immediate Action Plan

1. Audit Inventory (July 1, 2025): Physically test stock of aftermarket brake modules; discard or return any units that flash more than 4 times or fully extinguish between flashes.
2. Update Vendor Contracts: Insert specific warranty of compliance with SB 1493 and federal preemption indemnification into all lighting purchase orders.
3. Revise Inspection Protocols: Issue a memo to all inspection staff citing the new Transportation Code section to prevent improper inspection failures after September 1.
4. Standardize Sales Disclosure: Add compliance language to customer-facing accessory sales documents to limit liability.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

Vendor Agreements (MSAs): You must amend supply agreements with aftermarket lighting manufacturers. Include strict indemnification clauses requiring the vendor to cover costs if their devices are found to violate the "4 flashes / 2 seconds" technical standard or if the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issues a federal recall preempting state law.
Sales Addenda: For dealerships, update "We Owe" or accessory addenda to explicitly reference Texas Transportation Code Section 547.323(g) when selling these devices to confirm consumer disclosure of compliance.

Hiring/Training

Inspection Personnel: State inspectors must be retrained to pass vehicles with pulsing third brake lights, provided the pulsing is limited to the statutory maximums.
Technicians/Installers: Installers must be trained on the specific prohibition against devices that fully "deactivate" (turn off) between flashes; only devices that vary in intensity are permitted.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

Technical Specifications: Maintain manufacturer specification sheets for all SKUs in inventory. You must be able to produce documentation proving the device flashes four or fewer times and does not deactivate during the initial braking period to defend against potential negligence claims.

Fees & Costs

No New State Fees: The bill does not impose new government fees.
Inventory Costs: Potential low-level cost impact for auditing existing inventory to remove non-compliant "strobe" style lights that exceed the 4-flash limit.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

Federal Preemption (NHTSA vs. Texas): The statute declares these devices compliant with federal regulation 49 C.F.R. Section 571.108. However, NHTSA has historically interpreted FMVSS 108 to prohibit pulsing brake lights. While Texas DPS will not enforce against you, a federal ruling could supersede this law. Risk Mitigation: Ensure your contracts place the burden of a federal recall on the manufacturer, not your dealership.
"Deactivation" Definition: The law forbids the light from "deactivating" during the pulse cycle. It is unclear if a drop to near-zero intensity constitutes deactivation. Until DPS rulemaking clarifies, use equipment that dims rather than extinguishes between pulses.

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Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

TopicsVehicles & Traffic Vehicles & Traffic--equipment Vehicles & Traffic--rules of Road Lighting

Official Analysis

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BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1493
89R184 DRS-F	By: Parker
	Transportation
	3/10/2025
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The use of flashing stop lamps in vehicles has been shown to be effective in reducing accidents. Studies have found that the use of flashing stop lamps can increase the visibility of a vehicle to other drivers and help to draw attention to the fact that the vehicle is stopping. This can be particularly important in situations where the vehicle may be obscured from view, such as when it is in heavy traffic or when the driver is making a sudden stop. The use of flashing stop lamps can also help to reduce the likelihood of a rear-end collision, which is one of the most common types of accidents.

In recent years, automakers have been integrating flashing stop lamps into newer models of cars. This trend is driven by the recognition that these lamps can play a critical role in improving road safety. Automakers are now including this feature as standard equipment in many of their vehicles, and it is becoming increasingly common to see this feature included in the design of new vehicles.

The Texas Department of Public Safety has issued a memo stating that these new stop lamps are legal and have asked for this determination to be codified into statute.

S.B. 1493 codifies current DPS directive by adding Subsection (g) to Section 547.323 of the Transportation Code to codify that vehicles with the feature of flashing stop lamps are in compliance with federal standards.

As proposed, S.B. 1493 amends current law relating to lighting equipment requirements for motor vehicles.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 547.323, Transportation Code, by adding Subsection (g) to provide that a high-mounted stoplamp, for purposes of Section 547.3215 (Use of Federal Standard), is considered to comply with the current federal standards in 49 C.F.R. Section 571.108 if the stoplamp varies in intensity four or fewer times but never deactivates when the vehicle brakes for not more than two seconds.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.

Senate Authors

Sen. Tan ParkerRepublican · Primary Author

House Sponsor

Rep. Jared PattersonRepublican · Primary Sponsor

Bill Text(with markup)

S.B. No. 1493

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

	AN ACT
	relating to lighting equipment requirements for motor vehicles.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1. Section 547.323, Transportation Code, is amended
	by adding Subsection (g) to read as follows:
	(g) For purposes of Section 547.3215, a high-mounted
	stoplamp is considered to comply with the current federal standards
	in 49 C.F.R. Section 571.108 if the stoplamp varies in intensity
	four or fewer times but never deactivates when the vehicle brakes
	for not more than two seconds.
	SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 89TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION


March 28, 2025

TO:	Honorable Robert Nichols, Chair, Senate Committee on Transportation

FROM:	Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board

IN RE:	SB1493 by Parker (Relating to lighting equipment requirements for motor vehicles.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

It is assumed that any costs associated with the bill could be absorbed using existing resources.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

405 Department of Public Safety

LBB Staff:

JMc, AAL, CSh, KVEL

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about SB1493

What does Texas SB1493 do?

SB 1493 creates a statutory safe harbor for aftermarket "pulsing" high-mounted stoplamps (third brake lights), effective September 1, 2025. This legislation impacts auto dealers, fleet managers, and inspection stations by explicitly authorizing brake lights that flash up to four times within two seconds, provided they do not fully deactivate, thereby resolving previous conflicts with state inspection criteria. Implementation Timeline Effective Date: September 1, 2025 Compliance Deadline: September 1, 2025 (Inspection stations must update pass/fail criteria by this date; dealers may begin lawful sales of compliant inventory).

Who authored SB1493?

SB1493 was authored by Texas Senator Tan Parker during the Regular Session.

When was SB1493 signed into law?

SB1493 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 20, 2025.

Which agencies enforce SB1493?

SB1493 is enforced by Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS).

How urgent is compliance with SB1493?

The compliance urgency for SB1493 is rated as "low". Businesses and organizations should review the requirements and timeline to ensure timely compliance.

What is the cost impact of SB1493?

The cost impact of SB1493 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

What topics does SB1493 address?

SB1493 addresses topics including vehicles & traffic, vehicles & traffic--equipment, vehicles & traffic--rules of road and lighting.

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: November 25, 2025

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