BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 53

By: Thompson, Ed

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Constituents who are members of the Texas Baptist Men have raised concerns that although certain vehicles used by nonprofits explicitly for "emergency response" are exempt from registration fees, there is some ambiguity as to what "emergency response" includes. For example, does taking a vehicle in for service constitute "emergency response"? Or, does using a vehicle for training constitute "emergency response"? This lack of a clear definition has caused problems for nonprofit responders and enforcement. H.B. 53 seeks to address this ambiguity by removing the phrase "used exclusively for emergencies" from applicable law and replacing it with language that clarifies that emergency response activities include the following:

· emergency uses;

· training;

· maintenance;

· transfer of emergency supplies; and

· other activities related to disaster relief.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 53 amends the Transportation Code to exempt from vehicle registration fees a vehicle owned by a nonprofit disaster relief organization and used by the organization exclusively for training, equipment maintenance, transportation of disaster relief supplies, or other activities related to disaster relief.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.