SRC-SEW H.B. 1664 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterH.B. 1664
By: Alexander (Brown)
State Affairs
4/18/2001
Committee Report (Amended)


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

The Certificate of Title Act and certain provisions relating to dealer's
and manufacturer's vehicle license plates in the Transportation Code work
together with other laws in the Tax Code and the Texas Motor Vehicle
Commission Code to provide an integrated, cohesive, regulatory structure
applicable to commerce in and the titling and registration of motor
vehicles.  Over time these laws have changed, as have practices in the
operation and sale of motor vehicles. As proposed, H.B. 1664 provides
technical changes to relevant provisions of the Transportation Code to
ensure uniformity among all components of the motor vehicle industry
regulatory structure.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Motor Vehicle Board of the
Texas Department of Transportation in SECTION 4 (Section 503.002,
Transportation Code) of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 501.0234(b), Transportation Code, to provide
that this section does not apply to certain vehicles, including one with a
gross weight in excess of 11,000 pounds.  

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 501.074, Transportation Code, by adding
Subsection (d), to provide that, notwithstanding the terms of Section
501.005, in the event of a conflict between this section and other law,
this section controls. 

SECTION 3.  Amends Section 503.001, Transportation Code, to define "board"
and "converter." 

SECTION 4.  Amends Section 503.002, Transportation Code, to authorize the
Motor Vehicle Board of the Texas Department of Transportation (board),
rather than the Texas Transportation Commission, to adopt rules for the
administration of this chapter. 

SECTION 5.  Amends Section 503.003, Transportation Code, to provide that
this chapter does not prohibit the display or sale of a nonmotorized
vehicle or trailer at a regularly scheduled vehicle or boat show involving
multiple dealers, rather than vendors, conducted in accordance with board,
rather than commission, rules.   

SECTION 6.  Amends Section 503.006, Transportation Code, to require a
dealer or manufacturer who has been issued dealer's, converter's, or
manufacturer's license plates to notify the department of a change to the
dealer's, converter's, or manufacturer's address not later than the 10th
day after the date the change occurs. 

SECTION 7.  Amends Section 503.027(b), Transportation Code, to make a
conforming change.   

SECTION 8.  Repealer:  Section 503.034(c) (regarding Issuance and Renewal
or Denial of Dealer or Wholesale Motor Vehicle Auction General
Distinguishing Number), Transportation Code. 

 SECTION 9.  Amends Sections 503.066(d) and (e), Transportation Code, to
delete language requiring license plates to be mailed to qualified
applicants during February and March. 

SECTION 10.  Amends Section 503.069(a), Transportation Code, to make a
conforming change. 

SECTION 11.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

Amends As Filed H.B. 1664 as follows:

SECTIONS 1-7.  No change.

SECTION 8.  Omits original SECTION 8 and repeals Section 503.034(c)
(regarding Issuance and Renewal or Denial of Dealer or Wholesale Motor
Vehicle Auction General Distinguishing Number), Transportation Code. 

SECTIONS 9 - 11.  No change.