BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 3225
80R14774 ACP-F By: Murphy (Carona)
Transportation & Homeland Security
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The Auto Theft Prevention Authority (authority) was established in 1991 to reduce vehicle theft in Texas and functions as the lead organization in a statewide network of law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, insurance industry representatives, local tax assessor-collectors, community organizations, and concerned citizen groups. It awards and monitors grants to agencies, organizations, and concerned parties in an effort to raise public awareness of vehicle theft and implement education and prevention initiatives.
The term “automobile” as it currently exists in the statutes is not synonymous with the term “motor vehicle.” Because of this, the authority may establish an anti-theft program for automobiles, such as trucks and motorcycles, but not for certain other motor vehicles, such as self-propelled farm and construction equipment. This hinders the authority’s anti-theft efforts regarding these classes of vehicles. Additionally, the term does not mirror language used in other publications, federal reporting standards, or reporting standards by other state jurisdictions.
H.B. 3225 replaces the term “automobile” with “motor vehicle” throughout the statutes relating to the authority.
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 1, Article 4413(37), Revised Statutes, by amending Subdivision (2) and adding Subdivision (5), to redefine “economic automobile theft” as “economic motor vehicle theft” and define “motor vehicle.” Makes a conforming change.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 7(b), Article 4413(37), Revised Statutes, to make conforming changes.
SECTION 3. Amends Section 8(a), Article 4413(37), Revised Statutes, to make conforming changes.
SECTION 4. Amends the heading to Section 9, Article 4413(37), Revised Statutes, to read as follows:
Sec. 9. MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION PROGRAM.
SECTION 5. Amends Sections 9(a) through (f), Article 4413(37), Revised Statutes, to make conforming changes.
SECTION 6. Amends Section 11, Article 4413(37), Revised Statutes, to make conforming changes.
SECTION 7. Effective date: September 1, 2007.