SRC-SLL S.B. 1630 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1630 By: Duncan State Affairs 4-2-97 As Filed DIGEST Currently, the Texas Department of Transportation is responsible for regulations relating to motor vehicle registration. There are technical corrections to the registration statutes that are necessary for clarity. Wire service agents are needed to provide customer service due to the volume of temporary permits issued. In addition, the transportation industry is moving toward a standard that can include nominal tonnage rating and gross vehicle weight rating, in addition to the manufacturer's rated carrying capacity, when determining the gross vehicle weight of a vehicle for fee purposes. This bill will provide new regulations regarding motor vehicle registration. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 1630 provides new regulations regarding motor vehicle registration. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is granted to the Texas Department of Transportation in SECTION 2 (Section 502.0571(a), Transportation Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 502.001, Transportation Code, by amending Subdivision (20), and adding Subdivisions (25)-(31), to redefine "road tractor," and to define "private bus," "rental fleet," "rental trailer," "token trailer," "apportioned plate," "combination plate," and "forestry vehicle." SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 502B, Transportation Code, by adding Section 502.0571, as follows: Sec. 502.0571. RULES; FORMS. Authorizes the Texas Department of Transportation (department) to adopt rules to administer this chapter. Requires the department to prescribe forms that the department determines are necessary to administer this chapter and provide each county assessor-collector with a sufficient supply of forms. SECTION 3. Amends Chapter 502D, Transportation Code, by adding Section 502.1611, as follows: Sec. 502.1611. COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE OR TRUCK CAPACITY. Sets forth information the department may request to determine the gross weight of a vehicle for fee purposes. SECTION 4. Amends Section 502.166, Transportation Code, by adding Subsections (d) and (e), to authorize the department to issue specially designed license plates for trailers and semitrailers. Requires the department to deposit each fee collected under this section in the state treasury to the credit of the state highway fund. SECTION 5. Amends Section 502.167, Transportation Code, by adding Subsections (j)-(l), to authorize the department to issue specially designed license plates for token trailers. Sets forth regulations for registration of a trailer under this section. Requires the department to deposit each fee collected under this section in the state treasury to the credit of the state highway fund. SECTION 6. Amends Section 502.252, Transportation Code, to authorize a person applying for license plates under Section 502.2555, 502.289, or 502.291, among others, to have a license plate number assigned by the department. SECTION 7. Amends Chapter 502F, Transportation Code, by adding Section 502.289, as follows: Sec. 502.289. CITY AND PRIVATE BUSES. Sets forth regulations for the issuance of license plates to city and private buses. SECTION 8. Amends Chapter 502F, Transportation Code, by adding Section 502.292, as follows: Sec. 502.292. STATE OFFICIAL, U.S. JUDGE, AND STATE JUDGE PLATES. Sets forth regulations for the issuance of specially designed license plates to a state official, U.S. judge, or state judge. SECTION 9. Amends Section 502.352, Transportation Code, by amending Subsections (a), (c), (d), and (f), and adding Subsection (i), to authorize the department to issue a temporary permit for certain vehicles owned by a resident of the United Mexican States. Sets forth regulations for obtaining a permit under this section. Authorizes a wire service agent to send certain items to the department each Monday. Requires the department to prescribe the form and the content requirement of the report required by this section. Authorizes the department to establish certain accounts for the prepayment of a 72-hour permit or a 144-hour permit. Requires the fees established by the department for the administration of this subsection to be administered in accordance with an agreement containing terms and conditions agreeable to the department. Makes a conforming change. SECTION 10. Amends Chapter 502G, Transportation Code, by adding Section 502.3511, as follows: Sec. 502.3511. COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE OR TRUCK CAPACITY. Authorizes the department to request certain information to determine the gross weight of a vehicle for fee purposes. SECTION 11. Amends Section 621.001, Transportation Code, by adding Subdivision (10), to define "travel trailer." SECTION 12. Repealer: Section 502.280(e), Transportation Code (Forestry Vehicle). SECTION 13. (a) Provides that in addition to the substantive changes in law made by this Act, this Act amends Chapter 502, Transportation Code, to conform to changes in the law made by Section 1, Chapter 325; Section 1, Chapter 558; Section 1, Chapter 164; Section 1, Chapter 733; and Section 1, Chapter 875, Acts of the 74th Legislature, Regular Session, 1995. (b) Repealer: Section 1, Chapter 350; Section 1, Chapter 733; and Section 1, Chapter 875, Acts of the 74th Legislature, Regular Session, 1995. (c) Provides that, to the extent of any conflict, this Act prevails over another Act of the 75th Legislature, Regular Session, 1997, relating to nonsubstantive additions to and corrections in enacted codes. SECTION 14. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.