TWT H.B. 2382 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS TRANSPORTATION H.B. 2382 By: Siebert 4-5-97 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND Towable recreational vehicles are not currently covered under the Texas Motor Vehicle Commission Code. As a result, purchasers of towable RV's are not granted the same protection under the Lemon Law as purchasers of other new motor vehicles. Additionally, manufacturers and dealers of towable RV's are not covered by franchise regulations contained in the Motor Vehicle Code. The Texas Transportation Code and the Texas Tax Code both define towable RV's as motor vehicles. PURPOSE The purpose of this legislation is to give purchasers of new towable recreational vehicles the same Lemon Law protection that Texas provides to the purchasers of other new vehicles (including cars, trucks, vans, motorcycles, all terrain vehicles and motor homes). It would also give dealers of towable recreational vehicles the same type of franchise rights currently granted to other Texas new vehicle dealers. 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. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 1.03, Motor Vehicle Commission Code, (Article 4413(36), Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes) by amending Subdivision (1) and adding Subdivision (28). Subdivision (1) is amended by adding a towable recreational vehicle to the list of items defined as a "Motor vehicle". Subdivision (28) creates a definition for "towable recreational vehicle". This is the identical definition for "towable recreational vehicle" found in Section 23.121, Tax Code. SECTION 2. Amends Section 4.02(c)(2), Texas Motor Vehicle Commission Code (Article 4413(36), Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes) which adds "towable recreational vehicle" to the list of motor vehicles (including motor homes, ambulances, or fire-fighting vehicles) that are excluded from the prohibition from being sold or offered at a new motor vehicle show or exhibition. SECTION 3. Effective Date -- September 1, 1997. SECTION 4. Emergency Clause.