To qualify, the vehicle being replaced must have failed a state emission inspection or be at least 10 years old. The state will pay $600 for repairs and up to $3,500 toward the purchase of a new vehicle that meets certain conditions.

All drivers in the Houston, Dallas and Austin areas pay the $6 fee as part of their state vehicle inspection, collected by the county and then remitted to the state. In the latest fiscal year, Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris and Montgomery counties sent a combined $24.4 million to the state through the program.

The five counties got $2.2 million of that sum back.

via Emission program benefits few, fills state coffers – Houston Chronicle.