BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                       H.B. 313

80R177 DWS-D                                                                                                By: Pickett (Carona)

Transportation & Homeland Security

4/14/2007

Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Current law grants a full exemption from registration in this state to a foreign commercial vehicle operating within a border commercial zone if the vehicle is registered in another state.  As such, many commercial carriers domiciled in Mexico purchase their commercial vehicles within the United States in another state in order to avoid this state’s registration fees, yet operate these vehicles in this state’s border commercial zones.

H.B. 313 requires a foreign commercial vehicle engaged in transportation of cargo across the border to be registered and licensed in its country of origin in order to be exempted from registering in Texas, and to be registered in this state if it operates within a border commercial zone and was purchased and registered in a state other than Texas.

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 648.101, Transportation Code, by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c), as follows:

(a)  Provides that a foreign commercial motor vehicle is exempt from Chapter 502 (Registration of Vehicles) and any other law of this state requiring the vehicle to be registered in this state, including temporary registration, if the vehicle is registered and licensed as required by the law of another country, rather than another state or country, as evidenced by a valid metal license plate attached to the front or rear of the vehicle.

(c)  Requires a foreign commercial motor vehicle engaging primarily in transportation of cargo across the border into or from a border commercial zone to be registered in this state or operated under the exemption provided by this section, notwithstanding any reciprocity agreement between this state and another state of the United States.

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 2007.