Kill Bill 345

Below is what was going to happen if something wasn't said to these guys.

This web site shown here is what we did on our part to try to maintain our window tinting rights here in Texas. We are not trying to claim any credit for any this, in any way, but we can't help but feel that at least one out of all the emails that flowed through this site, stuck in some ones mind affecting someone's decision. It must of had some impact in some way because our window tint rights are now a bit LESS restrictive than before! Thanks to all our viewers emails and input sent to our Senators from this web site regarding this issue and from where ever else it could have come from, we did manage to somehow convince them to at least modify the law from ~~35%~~ to 25% darkness allowance which is fine by us over here. Even though the law has been changed from a film law to a net law, that two digit change in the way the law reads now (~~35%~~ to 25% effective 9-1-03) has loosened up the restriction on our window film rights from what is shown below to a less restrictive degree in most cases (Hurray!!). Texas is a great place! All information within this particular Kill Texas Senate Bill 345 web site is now old news, however it might make for some interesting reading for you on what almost happened to your automotive window tinting rights here in Texas. Go Texans!

ACTION TO TAKE ON TEXAS SENATE BILL 345

Senate Bill 345 is being proposed to the Texas legislative committee. And what this means to you is...if this bill passes it will basically mean that only a light 50% film would be legal (which is next to nothing). Obviously, it's too hot in the summer down here for this (the darker you go the more heat you reject). If we want to keep our current laws which are decent, we have to make sure that the Senators who are trying to push this bill through know how you, the voter feels.

Senator Ogden has introduced Senate Bill 345 that is very restrictive when compared to the current legislation.

The amended section:

Changes the film law to a net law instead of a film darkness law.
Requires a minimal light transmission of thirty-five percent (35%) and a maximum reflectivity of thirty-five percent (35%) (combined with any existing minimal pigment / tint already in the glass which looks clear to most). This means you'll have to drop down to the next lighter shade to 50% film instead of what is currently used now (35% film darkness) to meet this requirement. Most (and we do mean most) people that come in to have their windows tinted by us (and their definitely NOT thugs or gangsters either) that have had tint before complain that the current law we have now is already too restrictive (and they want to restrict it even more??????)....
Requires the rear side windows to comply with the thirty-five percent (35%) standard.
Does not allow a darker film on the rear window of SUVs unless it is factory-tinted by the manufacturer.
Adds blue to the prohibited color.
Does not exclude pre-1988 vehicles.

The following lists the differences between the current law and the proposed amendment:

Front Side Windows:

Current Law:

The current law is a film law; therefore, 35% film (which is a kind of a medium to light darkness and most would prefer it be even darker if it was legal) can be applied to 70% factory glass (35% X 70%=24.5%), which allows the Department to give a 3% tolerance. Current enforcement policy is 20%. Current inspection policy is 20%.

Proposed Amendment

The proposed amendment is a net law that means the 35% is a combination of film and the manufacturer’s glass. Only a very light 50% film would be legal (not acceptable and upsetting to most). If this amendment passes, it is assumed the enforcement policy and the inspection policy will be 35%. The Department of Public Safety may allow a tolerance of 3%. The proposed law is 15% more restrictive for the front side windows.

Rear Side Windows:

Current Law:

The current law allows 35% film on the rear side windows.

Red, blue, and amber colors are prohibited.

Proposed Amendment:

The rear side windows would have the same restrictions as the front side windows (35%).

Blue has been added to the prohibited colors.

The rear window is exempt if the vehicle is equipped with proper rear-view mirrors.

A side window that is to the rear of the vehicle operator or multi-purpose vehicle is exempt.

This is a preliminary warning. If this law is passed, it will have tremendous impact on automotive window tinting here in Texas. You may also visit the following site for updates on the bill: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlo/legislation/bill_status.htm .

Please make it a priority to immediately get in touch with the Senators that have our rights in their hands. Below we've provided the names, phone numbers, addresses, e-mail addresses, and a form to contact the Senators directly. Email, call and send letters to each of them, often. Let them know that the proposed bill is too restrictive and that the current law is fair, healthy, and good for everyone in this great state of Texas. They need to know there are a lot of people that depend on this necessity and all the great benefits of window film: heat, fade, glare reduction, as well as safety and UV protection from skin cancer. Please pass this on to your friends and colleagues to protect our rights as to what we can put on our own vehicles. Thank you and make sure to take action right away because if they don't hear from us (public out cry) we'll be driving around with unsatisfactory tint darknesses on our new cars!