BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 876
87R7111 JAM-D	By: Hancock
	Business & Commerce
	3/12/2021
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Texans purchasing a vehicle and motor vehicle dealers selling vehicles in Texas are looking for continued flexibility and efficiency in titling and registering sold motor vehicles by allowing for the option to title and register in any county willing to accept the application. S.B. 876 accomplishes that goal by amending Section 501.0234 of the Transportation Code by striking "shall" and adding "may" and by adding "in which the county assessor-collector is willing to accept the application." The bill also applies only to an application for the registration of or a title for a motor vehicle purchased on or after the effective date of this Act. An application for the registration of or a title for a motor vehicle purchased before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect when the vehicle was purchased, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.

As proposed, S.B. 876 amends current law relating to the county in which a motor vehicle dealer may apply for the registration of and title for certain vehicles sold by the dealer.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 501.0234(d), Transportation Code, as follows:

(d) Authorizes a seller who applies for the registration or a title for a motor vehicle under Subsection (a)(1) (relating to the application for the registration of vehicle by a seller) �to apply in any county in which the county assessor-collector is willing to accept the application. Deletes existing text requiring a seller who applies for the registration or a title for a motor vehicle under Subsection (a)(1) to apply in the county as directed by the purchaser from the counties set forth in Section 501.023 (Application for Title).

SECTION 2. Repealer: Section 501.0234(e) (relating to a certain form or electronic process developed by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles), Transportation Code.

SECTION 3. Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2021.