BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                     H.B. 2955

                                                                                                                         By: Hamric (Lindsay)

Transportation & Homeland Security

5/17/2005

Engrossed

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Currently, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) or a county assessor-collector may refuse to register a vehicle if the owner of that vehicle owes a fine in a county in which the vehicle is being registered.  H.B. 2955 extends this authority to vehicles registered statewide and allows TxDOT or a county assessor-collector to refuse registration if the owner of the vehicle owes any county a fine, fee, or tax.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends the heading of Section 502.185, Transportation Code, to read as follows: 

Sec. 502.185.  REFUSAL TO REGISTER VEHICLE BY COUNTIES OR DEPARTMENT.

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 502.185(a), Transportation Code, to authorize a county assessor-collector or the Texas Department of Transportation to refuse to register a motor vehicle if the owner of the vehicle is a resident of a county with a population of more than 3 million and owes a county in the state, rather than the county, money for a past-due fine, fee, or tax. 

SECTION 3.  Makes application of this Act prospective. 

SECTION 4.  Effective date: September 1, 2005.