BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1356
81R4987 SLB-D By: Lucio
Transportation & Homeland Security
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, Section 501.033, Transportation Code, addressing assignment of vehicle identification numbers of certain vehicles requires an Application for Assigned or Reassigned Number (form VTR-68-A), which is a combined application and inspection report, to accompany title transfer documents that result from auction sales, foreign vehicles, mechanic's liens, storage liens, and title hearings.
The inspection report is required to be completed by a law enforcement officer who is a member of an auto theft unit. The inspection process to conduct the inspections requires a significant investment of human resources. The inspection includes verifying a public vehicle identification number with a confidential vehicle identification number.
As proposed, S.B. 1356 authorizes an auto theft unit of a county law enforcement agency to impose a $40 administrative fee and requires the fee to be credited to the county general fund.
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 501.033, Transportation Code, by adding Subsection (e), as follows:
(e) Authorizes the sheriff's department, if the auto theft unit of a sheriff's department conducts an inspection required by the Texas Department of Transportation under this section, to impose a fee of $40. Requires the county treasurer to credit the fee to the general fund of the county to defray the county's costs associated with administering this chapter, including the administration of title hearings.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2009.