BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                              C.S.H.B. 2955

79R18071 MTB-F                                                                                           By: Hamric (Lindsay)

Transportation & Homeland Security

5/20/2005

Committee Report (Substituted)

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.  C.S.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 Section 284.209, Transportation Code, to provide that certain enforcement mechanisms are mandatory, rather than optional.   

SECTION 2.  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 3.  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 owes a county in this state money for a fine, fee, or tax that is past due. 

SECTION 4.  Makes application of this Act prospective. 

SECTION 5.  Effective date: September 1, 2005.