SRC-TNM H.B. 1306 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1306
By: Reyna, Elvira (Nelson)
State Affairs
4-30-97
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, complaints regarding the amount of time it takes to register
vehicles at county tax offices are often made by citizens.  There is a
concern that vehicle registration is not convenient enough for Texas
citizens.  H.B. 1306 would allow new car vehicle registrations to be made
at the owner's option for one, two, or three years in order to reduce
lines at tax office vehicle registration windows and to make vehicle
registration convenient. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 1306 outlines provisions regarding the payment of
certain motor vehicle registration fees for a period longer than 12
months. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 502.158, Transportation Code, by amending
Subsection (c) and adding Subsection (g), to prohibit the Texas Department
of Transportation (department) from designating a vehicle registration
period of more than 12 months, but, with the consent of the department, an
owner may pay registration fees for a designated period of more than 12
months and an owner of a passenger car or light truck that has not been
previously registered in this or another state and is of the current or
preceding model year to pay registration fees for a designated period of
12, 24, or 36 months.  Requires the department to issue the applicant for
registration who pays registration fees for a designated period of 24 or
36 months a registration receipt and registration insignia that are valid
until the expiration of the designated period. 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997.
  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.