Gov. Rick Perry signed a bill into law last month that allows any county with a population of 2 million or more to set up its own inspection stations and any city of 25,000 within that county can do the same. The trucking industry is concerned that the new law allowing local police to conduct inspections will result in citations to generate more revenue from tickets.

In anticipation, several cities and counties are gearing up for the new law buying inspection equipment and training officers. One of the most active is Dallas County, which plans to open two stations on I-45 and may eventually install others along I-20, according to published reports. Officials say it will be months before many more stations are set up.

In Texas, it's the Department of Public Safety's job to inspect commercial vehicles. Local law enforcement has not previously had jurisdiction over commercial vehicles.

SB220's sponsor, Sen. Florence Shapiro said highway safety, not revenue, is the issue. "This will give us the tools to operate safer trucks on the road and give cars on the road a little assurance that these trucks are safe," she told news reporters. The law, which takes effect Sept. 1, is supposed to target, but not be limited to, Mexican truckers.

More than 80 percent of the materials entering the United States from Mexico are hauled through the state, typically on Interstate 45 from Laredo through San Antonio, Austin, Fort Worth and Dallas.