1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the issuance of license plates for vehicle converters.
1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-4 SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 503, Transportation Code,
1-5 is amended by adding Section 503.0618 to read as follows:
1-6 Sec. 503.0618. CONVERTER'S LICENSE PLATES. (a) In this
1-7 section, "converter" means a person who holds a converter's license
1-8 issued under the Texas Motor Vehicle Commission Code (Article
1-9 4413(36), Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes).
1-10 (b) Instead of registering under Chapter 502 a vehicle that
1-11 a converter operates or permits to be operated on a public street
1-12 or highway, the converter may apply for, receive, and attach metal
1-13 converter's license plates to the vehicle if it is the type of
1-14 vehicle that the converter is engaged in the business of assembling
1-15 or modifying.
1-16 (c) The fee for a metal converter's license plate is $20.
1-17 (d) The department shall prescribe the form of an
1-18 application under this section.
1-19 SECTION 2. Subchapter C, Chapter 503, Transportation Code,
1-20 is amended by adding Section 503.0625 to read as follows:
1-21 Sec. 503.0625. CONVERTER'S TEMPORARY CARDBOARD TAGS. (a)
1-22 In this section, "converter" means a person who holds a converter's
1-23 license issued under the Texas Motor Vehicle Commission Code
1-24 (Article 4413(36), Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes).
2-1 (b) A converter may issue a temporary cardboard tag for use
2-2 on an unregistered vehicle by the converter or the converter's
2-3 employees only to:
2-4 (1) demonstrate or cause to be demonstrated to a
2-5 prospective buyer who is an employee of a franchised motor vehicle
2-6 dealer the vehicle; or
2-7 (2) convey or cause to be conveyed the vehicle:
2-8 (A) from one of the converter's places of
2-9 business in this state to another of the converter's places of
2-10 business in this state;
2-11 (B) from the converter's place of business to a
2-12 place the vehicle is to be assembled, repaired, reconditioned,
2-13 modified, or serviced;
2-14 (C) from the state line or a location in this
2-15 state where the vehicle is unloaded to the converter's place of
2-16 business;
2-17 (D) from the converter's place of business to a
2-18 place of business of a franchised motor vehicle dealer; or
2-19 (E) to road test the vehicle.
2-20 (c) Subsection (b)(1) does not prohibit a converter from
2-21 permitting a prospective buyer who is an employee of a franchised
2-22 motor vehicle dealer to operate a vehicle while the vehicle is
2-23 being demonstrated.
2-24 (d) A vehicle being conveyed while displaying a temporary
2-25 tag issued under this section is exempt from the inspection
2-26 requirements of Chapter 548.
2-27 (e) The department may not issue a converter temporary
3-1 cardboard tag or contract for the issuance of a converter temporary
3-2 cardboard tag but shall prescribe the specifications, form, and
3-3 color of a converter temporary cardboard tag.
3-4 (f) A converter or employee of a converter may not use a
3-5 temporary cardboard tag issued under this section as authorization
3-6 to operate a vehicle for the converter's or the employee's personal
3-7 use.
3-8 SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 1999.
3-9 SECTION 4. The importance of this legislation and the
3-10 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
3-11 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
3-12 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
3-13 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.
_______________________________ _______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2539 was passed by the House on April
23, 1999, by a non-record vote; and that the House concurred in
Senate amendments to H.B. No. 2539 on May 26, 1999, by a non-record
vote.
_______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 2539 was passed by the Senate, with
amendments, on May 24, 1999, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays
0.
_______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor