BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 53
	By: Thompson, Ed et al. (Eckhardt)
	Transportation
	5/18/2023
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Certain vehicles that are currently used exclusively for emergencies by a nonprofit disaster relief organization are exempted from vehicle registration fees, but these vehicles may not be used to carry out necessary day-to-day duties or activities in preparation for an emergency, such as training and transportation of disaster relief supplies. To be in compliance with current law, these organizations must use certain exempted vehicles for emergency response, yet switch to a non-exempt vehicle to conduct any other disaster relief-related activity. 

This bill exempts a vehicle owned by a nonprofit disaster relief organization from a registration fee if the vehicle is used exclusively for certain activities related to disaster relief to streamline operations and alleviate logistical burdens currently placed on these organizations.

Additionally, this bill allows organizations to buy/have used cars donated to fulfill disaster relief duties. 

H.B. 53 amends current law relating to the exemption from registration fees of certain vehicles used by nonprofit disaster relief organizations.

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 Sections 502.454(a), (b), and (f), Transportation Code, as follows:

(a) Authorizes the owner of a commercial motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer to apply for registration under Section 502.451 (Exempt Vehicles) and provides that the owner is exempt from the payment of the registration fee that would otherwise be required by Chapter 502 (Registration of Vehicles) if the vehicle is:

(1) owned, rather than owned and used exclusively for emergencies, by a nonprofit disaster relief organization; and

(2) used by the organization exclusively for emergencies, training, equipment maintenance, transportation of disaster relief supplies, or other activities related to disaster relief.

(b) Requires that an application for registration under Section 502.454 (Vehicles Used by Nonprofit Disaster Relief Organizations) include:

(1) a statement by the owner of the vehicle that the vehicle is used exclusively as described by Subsection (a), rather than used exclusively for emergencies, and has not been used for any other purpose;

(2) a statement signed by an officer of the nonprofit disaster relief organization that the vehicle has been used exclusively as described by Subsection (a), rather than has not been used for any purpose other than emergencies, and qualifies for registration under this section; and

(3) makes no changes to this subdivision.

(f) Prohibits a vehicle registered under this section that is used other than as described by Subsection (a), rather than used for any purpose other than an emergency, from again being registered under this section.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2023.