80R3294 ACP-D

By: Berman H.B. No. 505

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to specialty license plates for certain vehicles transporting agricultural products, drilling equipment, or construction equipment.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 501.036(a), Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the department may issue a certificate of title for a farm semitrailer with a gross weight of more than 4,000 pounds if:

(1) the farm semitrailer is eligible for registration under Section 504.504 [502.276]; and

(2) all other requirements for issuance of a certificate of title are met.

SECTION 2. Section 502.167(g), Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

(g) This section does not apply to:

(1) a combination of vehicles that includes a vehicle that has a distinguishing license plate under Section 504.504 [502.276];

(2) a truck-tractor or commercial motor vehicle registered or to be registered with $5 distinguishing license plates for which the vehicle is eligible under this chapter;

(3) a truck-tractor or commercial motor vehicle used exclusively in combination with a semitrailer of the housetrailer type; or

(4) a vehicle registered or to be registered:

(A) with a temporary registration permit;

(B) under Section 502.163; or

(C) under Section 502.188 [502.278].

SECTION 3. Section 502.180(h), Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

(h) The registration insignia for validation of a license plate shall be attached to the rear license plate of the vehicle, if the vehicle is:

(1) a motorcycle;

(2) machinery used exclusively to drill water wells or construction machinery for which a distinguishing license plate has been issued under Section 504.504 [502.276]; or

(3) oil well servicing, oil clean out, or oil well drilling machinery or equipment for which a distinguishing license plate has been issued under Subchapter G, Chapter 623.

SECTION 4. Section 547.304(a), Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) A provision of this chapter that requires a vehicle to be equipped with fixed electric lights does not apply to a farm trailer or fertilizer trailer registered under Section 504.504 [502.276] or a boat trailer with a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or less if the trailer is not operated at a time or under a condition specified by Section 547.302(a).

SECTION 5. Section 623.144, Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 623.144. REGISTRATION OF VEHICLE. A permit under this subchapter may be issued only if the vehicle is registered under Chapter 502 for the maximum gross weight applicable to the vehicle under Section 621.101 or has the distinguishing license plates as provided by Section 504.504 [502.276] if applicable to the vehicle.

SECTION 6. Section 623.149(a), Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) The department may establish criteria to determine whether oil well servicing, oil well clean out, or oil well drilling machinery or equipment is subject to registration under Chapter 502 or eligible for the distinguishing license plate provided by Section 504.504 [502.276].

SECTION 7. Section 623.194, Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 623.194. REGISTRATION OF VEHICLE. A permit under this subchapter may be issued only if the vehicle to be moved is registered under Chapter 502 for the maximum gross weight applicable to the vehicle under Section 621.101 or has the distinguishing license plates as provided by Section 504.504 [502.276] if applicable to the vehicle.

SECTION 8. Section 623.199(a), Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) The department may establish criteria to determine whether an unladen lift equipment motor vehicle that because of its design for use as lift equipment exceeds the maximum weight and width limitations prescribed by statute is subject to registration under Chapter 502 or eligible for the distinguishing license plate provided by Section 504.504 [502.276].

SECTION 9. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2007.