SRC-AXB S.B. 408 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 408
76R1706  JD-DBy: Duncan
State Affairs
2/15/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

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 the fee exemption.  This bill would
allow qualified religious organizations to register certain vehicles used
primarily for charitable functions, without paying a required fee. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 408 would permit trailers and semitrailers owned by a
qualified religious organization and used primarily for charitable
activities, to register without payment. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 502E, Transportation Code, by adding Section
502.2035, as follows: 

Sec.  502.2035.  TRAILERS AND SEMITRAILERS OWNED BY RELIGIOUS
ORGANIZATIONS.  Permits certain vehicles to be registered without payment
if they are owned by a qualified religious organization and used primarily
for charitable activities and functions of the organization.  Requires an
application for payment-free vehicle registration to include a certain
statement by an officer of the religious organization. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.