1. (a) Prior to the conversion of any vehicle to be used as a school bus, mass transit, or special transit vehicle, an applicant (the ultimate consumer or licensee, as the case may be) making the conversion shall submit a CNG Form 1503 to the commission.

   1. (1) An original school bus, mass transit, or special transit vehicle manufacturer shall submit a CNG Form 1503 covering the model(s) of vehicle(s) to be equipped with a CNG system prior to the vehicle(s) being used in CNG service in this state.
   2. (2) The commission shall examine all drawings, plans, reports, and specifications for mobile installations required by statute or commission regulation to be submitted for tentative approval to determine whether the design, manufacture, construction, or use of the depicted item, system, operations, procedure, or installation complies with the regulations for compressed natural gas. A determination will also be made whether the subject of the submission poses a threat to the health, safety, and welfare of the general public. If the commission declines administratively to approve the submission, the applicant shall be notified in writing within the required time period of the deficiencies. The applicant may modify the submission and resubmit it for tentative approval within the required time period, or may request a hearing on the matter in accordance with the general rules of practice and procedure of the Railroad Commission of Texas. The subject of the submission shall not be operated or used in CNG service in this state until approved by the Railroad Commission of Texas following a hearing.

2. (b) The application process. After completion of the review within the time described in paragraph (7) of this subsection, the commission will return the application to the applicant, indicating either the submission complies with the CNG rules or specifying what corrections are required.

   1. (1) Rejected applications. An applicant may make the corrections required by a rejected application and may resubmit the application for review by the division in accordance with the process described in this section. When an applicant is notified of a rejected CNG Form 1503, Application to Install a CNG System on School Bus/Mass Transit Vehicles, the applicant has 120 calendar days from the date of the notification letter to resubmit the application with the discrepancies corrected or the original application will expire.
   2. (2) Accepted applications. Subject to the provisions of paragraph (3) of this subsection, the application will be returned to the applicant and the applicant will be notified whether the application complies with the CNG rules and whether the CNG converted vehicle(s) may be placed immediately into CNG service upon completion of the CNG system.
   3. (3) Inspections. At any time, the commission or division director may require an inspection of any CNG converted vehicle system, including any time prior to the CNG system being placed into service. No CNG system shall be placed into CNG service that does not comply with the rules promulgated by the Railroad Commission of Texas in effect at the time of installation.
   4. (4) Notice of completion. The applicant shall notify the division in writing that a school bus or mass transit installation is completed and ready for inspection.
   5. (5) Material variances. If the commission determines the completed installation or conversion varies materially from the application originally accepted as in compliance, correction of the variance and notification to the commission or resubmission of the application is required. The commission's review of such resubmitted application will follow the described procedure(s) in this section.
   6. (6) Subsequent applications. Any subsequent conversion to a CNG system by the same applicant will not require resubmission of a CNG Form 1503, provided the conversions are made in accordance with the application originally accepted as in compliance. However, a CNG Form 1504 must be filed with and approved by the commission prior to the completion of any subsequent school bus, mass transit, or special transit vehicle conversion. The applicant shall notify the commission in writing when any such subsequent conversion is completed and ready for inspection. Subsequent conversions that differ and vary materially from the initial application as originally accepted as in compliance will require another submission of CNG Form 1503. Original school bus, mass transit, or special transit vehicle manufacturers shall submit a CNG Form 1504 prior to the vehicles being used in this state.
   7. (7) Time for review of applications. The commission will review all applications within 21 calendar days of receipt of the application. Written notification of whether the application is complete or incomplete shall be mailed to the applicant within the 21 calendar day period. An application is not complete (i.e., in compliance) until the applicant has received written notification.

Source Note:The provisions of this §13.24 adopted to be effective November 15, 1990, 15 TexReg 5936; amended to be effective October 15, 1993, 18 TexReg 6456.