BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1636
81R8909 SLB-F By: Carona
Transportation & Homeland Security
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) registers 21 million vehicles and processes six million vehicle titles annually. There are more than 1,600 fees associated with this process, which is confusing for consumers and inefficient. The process should be streamlined to clarify the system for consumers and increase its efficiency.
As proposed, S.B. 1636 requires TxDOT, by rule, to establish a fee schedule for motor vehicle registration fees for passenger and commercial motor vehicles, road tractors, trailers, motorcycles, mopeds, and motor buses, which would be based on the weight of the vehicle. The bill also requires TxDOT, by rule, to establish fees for replacement and transfer of license plates and registration insignia. Finally, the bill requires TxDOT, by rule, to establish fees and procedures for issuance of specialty license plates for classic motor vehicles and trailers.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Department of Transportation in SECTION 1 (Section 502.1587, Transportation Code) and SECTION 2 (Section 504.5012, Transportation Code) of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter D, Chapter 502, Transportation Code, by adding Section 502.1587, as follows:
Sec. 502.1587 REGISTRATION FEES. (a) Requires the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) by rule to establish a schedule of motor vehicle registration fees based on the weight of the vehicle for all passenger motor vehicles, commercial motor vehicles, road tractors, trailers, motorcycles, mopeds, and motor buses.
(b) Requires TxDOT by rule to establish fees for the replacement and transfer of license places and registration insignia.
SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter F, Chapter 504, Transportation Code, by adding Section 504.5012, as follows:
Sec. 504.5012. Requires TxDOT by rule to establish fees and procedures for the issuance of specialty license plates for classic motor vehicles and trailers under this subchapter.
SECTION 3. Repealer: Section 502.159 (Schedule of Fees), Transportation Code.
Repealer: Section 502.160 (Fee: Motorcycle), Transportation Code.
Repealer: Section 502.161 (Fee: Passenger Car, Municipal Bus, or Private Bus), Transportation Code.
Repealer: Section 502.162 (Fee: Commercial Motor Vehicle or Truck-Tractor), Transportation Code.
Repealer: Section 502.163 (Fee: Commercial Motor Vehicle, Used Primarily For Farm Purposes), Transportation Code.
Repealer: Section 502.164 (Fee: Motor Vehicle Used Exclusively to Transport and Spread Fertilizer), Transportation Code.
Repealer: Section 502.165 (Fee: Road Tractor), Transportation Code.
Repealer: Section 502.166 (Fee: Trailer or Semitrailer), Transportation Code.
SECTION 4. Requires TxDOT to adopt rules as required by Sections 502.1587 and 504.5012, Transportation Code, as added by this Act, not later than September 1, 2010.
SECTION 5. Effective date: September 1, 2009.