HBA-MPA H.B. 2409 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2409
By: King, Tracy
Transportation
3/18/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, a person cannot receive the certificate of title to a motor
vehicle unless the vehicle is registered and the person can show proof of
liability insurance. This can cause problems for people who want to buy old
vehicles to restore, or have vehicles for use only on their farm or ranch.
They cannot receive a certificate of title even though the vehicle may
never be driven or only driven on a farm or ranch.  H.B. 2409 prevents the
Texas Department of Transportation (department) from refusing to issue a
certificate of title for a vehicle that is otherwise entitled to one but is
not registered for a reason other than because the registration has been
suspended or revoked.  It also prevents the department from refusing to
issue a certificate of title for a motor vehicle for which the applicant
does not provide evidence of financial responsibility. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 501.021(a), Transportation Code, to make a
conforming change. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 501.051, Transportation Code, to prohibit the
Texas Department of Transportation from issuing a certificate of title for
a vehicle that is otherwise entitled to have it but is not registered for a
reason other than because the registration has been suspended or revoked,
or for which the applicant does not provide evidence of financial
responsibility that complies with Section 502.153 (Evidence of Financial
Responsibility). 

SECTION 3.Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.