Contact your local Texas state representative ASAP and let them know you are against Texas House of Representatives Bill 4523. 

 This Bill would change the VLT (visible light transmission) to a NET 35% with NO tolerance.  If this H.B. 4523 is passed we would all have to use 50% film to pass inspection, thus negating two of the main reasons people use auto window tint in Texas - to increase visibility by blocking glare and reducing solar heat gain. 

Below is a letter we are continually sending to the Texas House Transportation Committee - below the letter is all the contact information for the committee members.  Please call, email, fax all of them and voice that you are against H.B. 4523!

Dear Representative,
 

Senate Bill # 589 authored by the Honorable John Corona recently passed the Senate with no dissenting votes. There is a companion bill in the house H.B. 4523 authored by the Honorable Larry Phillips.
 

It is quite unfortunate that neither the Window Film Industry nor the International Window Film Association (IWFA) was consulted or made aware of this piece of legislation.
 

This Bill further limits the tinting on side windows of automobiles from 25% visible light transmission (VLT) to 35% VLT. The current statute is fair and equitable and allows for excellent visibility inside and outside of a motor vehicle. The many benefits that the product offers include glare reduction (better visibility), reduction of solar heat (making drivers and passengers more comfortable and reducing the amount of air conditioning needed to cool the vehicle), reduction of 99.5% of ultra violet rays and more.
 

Passage of this Bill into law would devastate the Window Tinting Industry in the State of Texas. Consumers will not purchase tint that has a high VLT and is hardly even noticeable on an automobile window.  This Bill removes two of the most effective benefits of window tint, which are minimizing glare and reducing solar heat gain.  This will also have a significant economic impact on small businesses and new car dealerships.  Approximately 2,200 of these types of business are involved in the selling and application of auto window tint (with the extreme vast majority doing so legally).  They employ more than 8,000 people in the state and have retail sales estimated at a $120,000,000. The associated tax revenue from this industry would equate to $9,900,000 annually.
 

Please understand that our industry cares about the safety of the public and law enforcement. However, H.B. 4523 will not accomplish this. What will accomplish this is the enforcement of the current statute. It is unfortunate that there are a few “tinters” who install products darker (25% V.L.T.) than the statute allows. These people need to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. This is what we need to enforce. We will be more than happy to assist in this legislation so we can all be safe without crippling our industry in Texas. Let’s please not throw the baby out with the bath water. �
 

We ask that you please not support H.B. 4523 and help us save jobs and keep the benefits that so many Texans enjoy with window tinting.        
 

Transportation Committee Members:

William (Bill) Callegari (Houston) District 132

Ph# 281-578-8484

Fax 512.463.7820

E-mail distict132@house.state.tx.us

Yvonne Davis (Dallas) District 111