BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

                                                                                                                                             H.B. 943

                                                                                                                                            By: Geren

                                                                                                          Culture, Recreation, & Tourism

                                                                                                       Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is often called upon to assist the families of deceased individuals with the transfer of ownership of a boats and outboard motors.  Currently, the process by which the transfer is facilitated is cumbersome and difficult to administer.

 

HB 943 provides the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department with the ability to administer a more efficient process for documenting and transferring ownership of estate property pertaining to boats and outboard motors when the administration of an estate is not required.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the opinion of the committee that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

 

ANALYSIS

 

            SECTION 1.   Adds Subsection (g) to Section 31.047, Parks and Wildlife Code.  The provision outlines that an affidavit submitted to the Department must include proof that the administration of the estate is not required, it must identify all heirs, and the heirs must decide in whose name to issue the certificate of title.

 

            SECTION 2.   Effective Date

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

This bill takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house.  If it does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2005