BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

                                                                                                                                              S.B. 969

                                                                                                                                             By: Estes

                                                                                                                                     Transportation

                                                                                                       Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Currently, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is not authorized to register and title vessels without the payment of fees.  A vessel is defined under Chapter 31, Parks and Wildlife Code, as any watercraft, other than a seaplane on water, used or capable of being used for transportation on water.  Although government-owned vessels are currently exempt from titling and registration provisions, some government organizations request titles and registration for their vessels. 

 

As proposed, S.B. 969 authorizes TPWD to register government-owned vessels without charging a fee.

 

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

 

SECTION 1.  Amends Subchapter B-1, Chapter 31, Parks and Wildlife Code, by adding Section 31.056, as follows:

 

Sec. 31.056.  FEE EXEMPTION FOR GOVERNMENT VESSELS AND OUTBOARD MOTORS.  Provides that a fee imposed by this chapter (Water Safety) does not apply to a vessel or outboard motor purchased by, owned by, or used exclusively in the service of this state, a political subdivision of this state, or the federal government.

 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2007.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2007.