LEASE OF COMPUTER EQUIPMENT.

(a) The department may lease equipment and provide related services to a:

(1) county for the operation of the automated registration and titling system in addition to the equipment provided by the department at no cost to the county under a formula prescribed by the department; and

(2) deputy appointed under Section 520.0071.

(b) On the request of the tax assessor-collector of a county, the department may enter into an agreement with the commissioners court of that county under which the department leases additional equipment to the county for the use of the tax assessor-collector in operating the automated registration and titling system in that county.

(b-1) On the request of a deputy appointed under Section 520.0071, the department may enter into an agreement under which the department leases equipment to the deputy for the use of the deputy in operating the automated registration and titling system. The department may require the deputy to post a bond in an amount equal to the value of the equipment.

(c) A county may install equipment leased under this section at offices of the county or of an agent of the county. A deputy appointed under Section 520.0071 may install equipment leased under this section on the premises described in the agreement.

(d) Equipment leased under this section:

(1) remains the property of the department; and

(2) must be used primarily for the automated registration and titling system.

(e) Under the agreement, the department shall charge an amount not less than the amount of the cost to the department to provide the equipment and any related services under the lease. All money collected under the lease shall be deposited to the credit of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles fund.