BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1559
Transportation & Homeland Security
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, both the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department issue vehicle decals for all-terrain vehicles. The voluntary nature of TxDOT's registration program, as well as the costs of safety education and training delivery without state funding, has led to a potentially unsustainable situation. Additionally, the concurrent issuance has led to confusion in some cases and to duplicative efforts between state agencies. The elimination of TxDOT's registration program for all-terrain vehicles may solve these problems.
As proposed, S.B. 1559 repeals certain statutes that provide for the issuance of an off-highway vehicle registration certificate and decal by TxDOT.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 502.001(1), Transportation Code, to redefine "all-terrain vehicle."
SECTION 2. Amends Section 29.005(a), Parks and Wildlife Code, to delete existing text providing that a person whose off-highway vehicle is registered under Section 502.006 (All-Terrain Vehicles), Transportation Code, is a person for whom the Texas Department of Transportation is required to issue a decal upon payment of a certain fee.
SECTION 3. Repealer: (1) Sections 502.006(c) and (d) (regarding registration of all-terrain vehicles for off-highway use); (2) Section 502.169 (Fee: All-Terrain Vehicle); (3) Section 502.205 (All-Terrain Vehicles); and (4) Section 502.406 (Operation of All-Terrain Vehicle Without Sticker), Transportation Code.
SECTION 4. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2007.