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.