The OP had this issue in 2010 and hasn't posted here since.

In Texas it's now required (as of March 2015) to pass inspection before you can get your car registered.

He said 20 minutes east of Austin. Austin is in Travis County. East is either the same county or Bastrop County. Travis requires emissions testing (so does Williamson where I live) but Bastrop does not have emissions. Yet.

Like previously mentioned a visual inspection is required by all but obviously not every technician does a thorough visual, it varies per shop/inspector.

I don't know any "good ol' boy" testers. All of my cars have cats and they've all passed inspection the right way. Even my 18 year old Z28 still has original cats on it though they're going to be replaced hopefully by next year with new units.