The law is nothing new. Ever since moving back to Texas in 1997, we've had all of our 5th wheels (which had GVWRs over 4500 lbs - the cutoff in the Texas Transportation Code statutes) inspected annually. All that has changed is that, instead of an inspection sticker, the inspection is entered into the State registration database, and the presence of a registration sticker proves that a safety inspection has been performed. There were just a lot of people ignoring the law before the new system went into effect. Now it's no inspection = no registration renewal.
You'll see the balance of the inspection charge appear on your registration renewal notice.
Rusty