HBA-DMD, ALS H.B. 3014 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3014
By: Hawley
Transportation
10/19/1999
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Prior to the 76th Legislature, there were concerns regarding the efficiency
and security of the system of automobile registration used by the Texas
Department of Transportation (TxDOT). Other states have implemented
automated vehicle registration systems, which has greatly decreased the
incidence of fraud and theft. Such automated services are able to provide
24-hour customer service, scan and verify insurance certificates, accept
various methods of payment, and print directly on the registration insignia
specific information regarding the vehicle. 

H.B. 3014 allows TxDOT to collect an additional $1 fee for a license plate
or other device used as the registration insignia which may be used to
enhance its automated registration and title system. This bill authorizes
TxDOT to adopt rules providing for the use of an automated registration
process. In addition, this bill only applies in a county that has
implemented TxDOT's automated system. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking
authority previously delegated to the Texas Department of Transportation is
modified in SECTION 2 (Section 502.180, Transportation Code) of this bill.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter D, Chapter 502, Transportation Code, by
adding Section 502.1705, as follows: 

Sec. 502.1705. ADDITIONAL FEE FOR AUTOMATED REGISTRATION AND TITLE SYSTEM.
Requires the collection of $1 fee, to be used by the Texas Department of
Transportation (TxDOT) to enhance its automated registration and title
system, provide for the automated on-site production of registration
insignia, or provide for the automated onpremises and off-premises
self-service registration. Provides that this section only applies in a
county in which TxDOT's automated registration and title system has been
implemented and in which 50,000 or more motor vehicles were registered
during the preceding year. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 502.180(e), Transportation Code, to authorize
TxDOT to adopt rules for the issuance and use of license plates and
registration insignia issued pursuant to this chapter (Registration of
Vehicles) that provide for the use of a specified automated registration
process. 

SECTION 3. Amends Sections 502.184(a) and (i), Transportation Code, to make
conforming and nonsubstantive changes. 

SECTION 4.Effective date: September 1, 1999. 

SECTION 5.Emergency clause.