BILL ANALYSIS
By: Pickett
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Under current law, foreign commercial vehicles are granted full exemption from Texas vehicle registration when operated within a Border Commercial Zone. The foreign commercial carriers domiciled in Mexico are primarily involved in drayage or transfer movements of commercial vehicles (namely semi-trailers) that are used within our commercial zone(s). Many of these carriers are purchasing their trucks out-of-state and are not registering their vehicles in Texas. These commercial vehicles, thereby, avoid paying registration revenues due to the State of Texas and the County Tax Assessor Collectors. HB 313 amends the Transportation Code by requiring foreign commercial motor vehicles engaged in transportation of cargo across the border to register and license their vehicle in their country in order to be exempted from registering their foreign commercial vehicle in Texas; however, if a foreign commercial vehicle operates within a Border Commercial Zone in Texas and the vehicle is from another state, they must register it in Texas.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
HB 313 amends the Transportation Code by requiring foreign commercial motor vehicles engaged in transportation of cargo across the border to register and license their vehicle in their country in order to be exempted from registering their foreign commercial vehicle in Texas; however, if a foreign commercial vehicle operates within a Border Commercial Zone in Texas and the vehicle is from another state, they must register it in Texas.
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2007.