HBA-MPA S.B. 408 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 408
By: Duncan
Transportation
4/23/1999
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, only a vehicle which carries more than six passengers qualifies
for a vehicle registration fee exemption when used by charitable religious
organizations.  Trailers and semitrailers used to deliver supplies to the
poor or homeless do not qualify for a fee exemption.  S.B. 408 allows
qualified religious organizations to register certain vehicles used
primarily for charitable functions, without paying the required fee. 

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 Subchapter E, Chapter 502, Transportation Code, by
adding Section 502.2035, as follows: 

Sec. 502.2035.  TRAILERS AND SEMITRAILERS OWNED BY RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.
(a) Authorizes a trailer or semitrailer to be registered without payment if
it is owned by an organization that qualifies as a religious organization,
and is used primarily for the purpose of transporting property in
connection with charitable activities and functions of the organization. 

(b) Provides that an applicant for registration under this section must
include a statement signed by an officer of the religious organization
stating that the trailer or semitrailer qualifies for such registration. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.