BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1507
81R5272 JD-F By: Carona
Transportation & Homeland Security
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Motor vehicle statutes were codified in 1995, however, they have not been updated since 1917 when the Highway Department registered vehicles. As a result, the statutes are outdated in regard to automation and organization.
Currently, Section 501.002(1), Transportation Code, defines a "certificate of title" as an instrument issued under the Transportation Code, and an "all-terrain vehicle" as something not designed by a manufacturer for farming or lawn care.
As proposed, S.B. 1507 redefines a "certificate of title" as a printed record of title and redefines "all-terrain vehicle" by deleting existing text that provides that an all-terrain vehicle is not designed by the manufacturer primarily for farming or lawn care. The bill also authorizes the Texas Department of Transportation to adopt rules to administer Chapter 520, Transportation Code.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Department of Transportation in SECTION 3 (Section 520.003, Transportation Code) of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 501.002(1), Transportation Code, to redefine "certificate of title."
SECTION 2. Amends Section 502.001(1), Transportation Code, to redefine "all-terrain vehicle."
SECTION 3. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 520, Transportation Code, by adding Section 520.003, as follows:
Sec. 520.003. RULES. Authorizes the Texas Department of Transportation to adopt rules to administer this chapter.
SECTION 4. Transfers Section 520.036, Transportation Code, to Subchapter B, Chapter 520, Transportation Code, and renumbers it as Section 520.026, Transportation Code, as follows:
Sec. 520.026. GENERAL PENALTY. Redesignates Section 520.036 as Section 520.026. (a) Makes no changes to this subsection.
(b) Makes no changes to this subsection.
SECTION 5. (a) Makes application of this Act prospective.
(b) Provides that an offense committed before September 1, 2009, is covered by the law in effect when the offense was committed, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. Provides that for purposes of this subsection, an offense was committed before September 1, 2009, if any element of the offense was committed before that date.
SECTION 6. Effective date: September 1, 2009.