SRC-ARR C.S.S.B. 518 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 518 By: Cain Natural Resources 4/1/1999 Committee Report (Substituted) DIGEST Currently, Texas law allows certain farm trailers to qualify for a reduced registration fee. Current statute specifies that any trailer which is registered under this reduced fee may be used only by the owner of the trailer, to transport items related to the owner's farm or ranch operation. Many farmers and ranchers unknowingly break the law by borrowing a friend's farm trailer. C.S.S.B. 518 would remove requirements that only the owner of a farm-registered trailer may use the trailer. PURPOSE As proposed, C.S.S.B. 518 regulates the registration of certain farm vehicles and trailers. 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 Section 502.276(c), Transportation Code, to authorize a vehicle that has a distinguishing license plate issued under Subsection (b) to be operated temporarily on the highways if the vehicle meets a certain criteria. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES SECTION 1. Amends Section 502.276(c), Transportation Code, to set forth regulations regarding the temporary operation of certain vehicles on a highways. Deletes proposed Subsection (c)(2) regarding the temporary operation on a highway of a farm trailer or farm semitrailer transporting certain products. Deletes proposed SECTION 1 regarding registration fees for certain vehicles.