By: Carona S.B. No. 1636
 
  Substitute the following for S.B. No. 1636:
 
  By:  Phillips C.S.S.B. No. 1636
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to motor vehicle registration fees.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 501.134(a), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  If a certificate of title is lost or destroyed, the
  owner or lienholder disclosed on the certificate may obtain, in the
  manner provided by this section and department rule, a certified
  copy of the lost or destroyed certificate of title directly from the
  department by applying on a form prescribed by the department and
  paying a fee of $25 [$2]. A fee collected under this subsection
  shall be deposited to the credit of the state highway fund and may
  be spent only as provided by Section 501.138.
         SECTION 2.  Section 502.160, Transportation Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 502.160.  FEE: MOTORCYCLE OR MOPED. The fee for a
  registration year for registration of a motorcycle or moped is $30.
         SECTION 3.  The heading to Section 502.161, Transportation
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 502.161.  FEE:  VEHICLES THAT WEIGH 6,000 POUNDS OR LESS
  [PASSENGER CAR, MUNICIPAL BUS, PRIVATE BUS].
         SECTION 4.  Section 502.161(a), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The fee for a registration year for registration of a
  vehicle with a gross weight of [passenger car, a municipal bus, or a
  private bus that weighs] 6,000 pounds or less is $58, unless
  otherwise provided in this chapter [:
               [(1)     $40.50 for a vehicle the model year of which is
  more than six years before the year in which the registration year
  begins;
               [(2)     $50.50 for a vehicle the model year of which is
  more than three years but is six years or less before the year in
  which the registration year begins; or
               [(3)     $58.50 for a vehicle the model year of which is
  three years or less before the year in which the registration year
  begins].
         SECTION 5.  The heading to Section 502.162, Transportation
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 502.162.  FEE:  VEHICLES THAT WEIGH MORE THAN 6,000
  POUNDS [COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE OR TRUCK-TRACTOR].
         SECTION 6.  Section 502.162(a), Transportation Code, is
  amended and Subsection (a-1) is added to read as follows:
         (a)  The fee for a registration year for registration of a
  vehicle with a gross weight of more than 6,000 pounds is [commercial
  motor vehicle or truck-tractor is $25 plus an amount determined
  according to the vehicle's gross weight and tire equipment,] as
  follows unless otherwise provided in this chapter:
 
Weight Classification Fee Schedule
 
in pounds
 
  6,001-10,000 $70
 
  10,001-18,000 $125
 
  18,001-25,999 $225
 
  26,000-40,000 $325
 
  40,001-54,999 $525
 
  55,000-70,000 $725
 
  70,001-80,000 $825
 
[Gross weight Fee for each 100 pounds or
 
[in pounds fraction of 100 pounds
 
 
[Equipped with Equipped with
 
[pneumatic tires solid tires
 
[1-6,000 $0.44 $0.55
 
[6,001-8,000  0.495 0.66
 
[8,001-10,000  0.605 0.77
 
[10,001-17,000  0.715 0.88
 
[17,001-24,000  0.77 0.99
 
[24,001-31,000  0.88 1.10
 
[31,001 and over  0.99 1.32]
         SECTION 7.  Section 502.164, Transportation Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 502.164.  FEE: MOTOR VEHICLE USED EXCLUSIVELY TO
  TRANSPORT AND SPREAD FERTILIZER. (a)  The fee for a registration
  year for registration of a motor vehicle designed or modified and
  used exclusively to transport to the field and spread fertilizer,
  including agricultural limestone, is $15 [$75].
         SECTION 8.  Section 502.165, Transportation Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 502.165.  FEE: ROAD TRACTOR.  (a) The fee for a
  registration year for registration of a road tractor is the fee
  prescribed by [$25 plus an amount determined according to the
  vehicle's] weight as certified by a public weigher or a license and
  weight inspector of the Department of Public Safety under Section
  502.161 or 502.162, as applicable. [, as follows:
 
[Fee for each 100 pounds
 
[Gross weight in or
 
[pounds fraction of 100 pounds
 
 
[1-4,000 $0.275
 
[4,001-6,000 0.55
 
[6,001-8,000 0.66
 
[8,001-10,000 0.825
 
[10,001 and over 1.10]
         SECTION 9.  The heading to Section 502.166, Transportation
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 502.166.  FEE: TRAILER, TRAVEL TRAILER, OR
  SEMITRAILER.
         SECTION 10.  Section 502.166, Transportation Code, is
  amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to
  read as follows:
         (a)  The fee for a registration year for registration of a
  trailer, travel trailer, or semitrailer with a [is $25 plus an
  amount determined according to the vehicle's] gross weight of 6,000
  pounds or less is $40.
         (a-1)  The fee for a registration year for registration of a
  trailer, travel trailer, or semitrailer with a gross weight of more
  than 6,000 pounds is calculated by gross weight according to
  Section 502.162. [and tire equipment, as follows:
 
[Gross weight Fee for each 100 pounds or
 
[in pounds fraction of 100 pounds
 
 
[Equipped with Equipped with
 
[pneumatic tires solid tires
 
[1-6,000 $0.33 $0.44
 
[6,001-8,000  0.44 0.55
 
[8,001-10,000  0.55 0.66
 
[10,001-17,000  0.66 0.88
 
[17,001 and over  0.715 0.99]
         SECTION 11.  Sections 502.167(a), (b), (c), and (g),
  Transportation Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  This section applies only to a truck-tractor or
  commercial motor vehicle with a gross weight [manufacturer's rated
  carrying capacity] of more than 10,000 pounds [one ton] that is used
  or is to be used in combination with a semitrailer that has a gross
  weight of more than 6,000 pounds.
         (b)  The [Notwithstanding Section 502.162, the] fee for a
  registration year for registration of a truck-tractor or commercial
  motor vehicle is calculated by gross weight according to Section
  502.162. [$40 plus an amount determined according to the combined
  gross weight of the vehicles, as follows:
 
[Fee for each 100 pounds
 
[Combined gross weight or
 
[in pounds fraction of 100 pounds
 
[18,000-36,000      $0.60
 
[36,001-42,000      0.75
 
[42,001-62,000      0.90
 
[62,001 and over      1.00]
         (c)  The [Notwithstanding Section 502.166, the] fee for a
  registration year for registration of a semitrailer used in the
  manner described by Subsection (a), regardless of the date the
  semitrailer is registered, is:
               (1)  $30, for a semitrailer being propelled by a power
  unit for which a permit under Section 623.011 has been issued; or
               (2)  $15, for a semitrailer being propelled by a power
  unit for which a permit under Section 623.011 has not been issued.
         (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;
               (2)  a truck-tractor or commercial motor vehicle
  registered or to be registered with $15 [$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.
         SECTION 12.  Section 502.168, Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 502.168.  FEE: MOTOR BUS. The fee for a registration
  year for registration of a motor bus is the fee prescribed by
  Section 502.161 or 502.162, as applicable. [$25 plus an amount
  determined according to the vehicle's gross weight, as follows:
 
[Fee for each 100 pounds
 
[Gross weight or
 
[in pounds fraction of 100 pounds
 
[1-6,000      $0.44
 
[6,001-8,000      0.495
 
[8,001-10,000      0.605
 
[10,001-17,000      0.715
 
[17,001-24,000      0.77
 
[24,001-31,000      0.88
 
[31,001 and over      0.99]
         SECTION 13.  Section 502.1705(b), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The department may use money collected under this
  section to provide for or enhance [perform one or more of the
  following]:
               (1)  [enhancing the department's automated
  registration and title system;
               [(2)     providing for the automated on-site production of
  registration insignia; or
               [(3)  providing for] automated on-premises and
  off-premises [self-service] registration; and
               (2)  services related to the titling of vehicles.
         SECTION 14.  The heading to Section 502.184, Transportation
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 502.184.  REPLACEMENT OF [LOST, STOLEN, OR MUTILATED
  LICENSE PLATE OR] REGISTRATION INSIGNIA.
         SECTION 15.  Sections 502.184(a), (b), (e), and (f),
  Transportation Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The owner of a registered motor vehicle may obtain [from
  the department through the county assessor-collector replacement
  license plates or] a replacement registration insignia by:
               (1)  certifying [filing with the assessor-collector a
  statement:
                     [(A)     showing that one or both of the license
  plates or the registration insignia to be replaced has been lost,
  stolen, or mutilated; and
                     [(B)  stating] that the replacement [no license
  plate or] registration insignia [to be replaced] will not be used on
  any other vehicle owned or operated by the person making the
  statement;
               (2)  paying a fee of $5 plus the fees required by
  Section [Sections 502.170(a) and] 502.1705(a) for [each set of
  replacement license plates or] each replacement registration
  insignia, except as provided by other law [Subsection (b), (c), or
  (i)]; and
               (3)  returning [to the assessor-collector] each
  replaced [plate or] registration insignia in the owner's
  possession.
         (b)  No fee is required under this section if the replacement
  fee for a license plate has been paid under Section 502.1841 [for
  the replacement of lost, stolen, or mutilated specialized license
  plates issued under Sections 504.308 and 504.315(e) and (f)].  [The
  fee for replacement of certain specialized license plates is:
 
[License plates issued under: Fee:
 
[Section 504.411 $2
 
[Section 504.409 $9]
         (e)  A county assessor-collector may not issue [replacement
  license plates or] a replacement registration insignia without
  complying with this section.
         (f)  A county assessor-collector shall retain $2.50 of each
  fee collected under this section and shall report and send the
  remainder to the department [as provided by Sections 502.102 and
  502.105].
         SECTION 16.  Subchapter D, Chapter 502, Transportation Code,
  is amended by adding Section 502.1841 to read as follows:
         Sec. 502.1841.  REPLACEMENT LICENSE PLATES. (a)  The owner
  of a registered motor vehicle may obtain replacement license plates
  for the vehicle by:
               (1)  certifying that the replacement plates will not be
  used on any other vehicle owned or operated by the person making the
  statement;
               (2)  paying a fee of $15 plus the fee required by
  Section 502.1705(a) for each set of replacement license plates,
  unless otherwise specified by law; and
               (3)  returning to the department each license plate in
  the owner's possession for which a replacement license plate is
  obtained.
         (b)  Replacement license plates may not be issued except as
  provided by this section.
         (c)  A county assessor-collector shall retain $2.50 of each
  fee collected under this section and forward the remainder of the
  fee to the department.
         (d)  The fee required by this section applies to the issuance
  of license plates for a transferred used vehicle for which the
  registration and license plates were not transferred under
  Subchapter I.
         SECTION 17.  Section 502.203(c), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (c)  There is no fee [An applicant] for registration under
  this section [must pay a fee of $5].
         SECTION 18.  Section 502.353(e), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (e)  The fee for a permit under this section is prescribed by
  Sections 502.161 and 502.162, as applicable [the fee that would be
  required for registering the vehicle under Section 502.162 or
  502.167, except as provided by Subsection (f)].
         SECTION 19.  Section 504.101(d), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (d)  The department may not issue a replacement set of
  personalized license plates to the same person before the sixth
  anniversary of the date of issuance unless the applicant for
  issuance of replacement plates pays the [an additional] fee
  required by Section 502.1841 [of $30].
         SECTION 20.  Section 504.401(c), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (c)  The license plates may be issued for up to two years and
  expire on [remain valid until] December 31 of the specified period
  [each year].
         SECTION 21.  Section 504.407(c), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (c)  The fee for issuance of the license plates is $15 [$20].
         SECTION 22.  Section 504.408(b), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  There is no [The] fee for issuance of the license plates
  [is $10].
         SECTION 23.  Section 504.409(b), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The fee for issuance of the license plates is $15 [$4].
         SECTION 24.  Section 504.410(b), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The fee for issuance of the license plates is $15 [$8].
         SECTION 25.  Section 504.411(b), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The fee for issuance of the license plates is $15 [$40].
         SECTION 26.  Section 504.501, Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 504.501.  CLASSIC MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAVEL TRAILERS.
  (a)  The department shall issue specialty license plates for a motor
  vehicle that is at least 25 years old. The license plates must
  include the word "Classic" [words "Classic Auto," "Classic
  Motorcycle," or "Classic Truck"] or a similar designation, as
  appropriate.
         (b)  A person eligible for the license plates may instead use
  license plates that were issued by this state in the same year as
  the model year of the vehicle and are approved by the department if
  the plates are approved for the vehicle before January 1, 2012. The
  department may require the attachment of a registration insignia to
  the license plate in a manner that does not affect the display of
  information originally on the license plate.
         (c)  The fee for issuance or approval of license plates under
  this section is $15.
         SECTION 27.  Section 504.502(d) and (e), Transportation
  Code, is amended to read as follows:
         (d)  License plates issued or approved under this section
  expire on the first [fifth] anniversary of the date of issuance or
  approval.
         (e)  The fee for issuance or approval of license plates under
  this section is $15[:
               [(1)  $10] for each year or portion of a year remaining
  in the five-year registration period if the vehicle was
  manufactured in 1921 or later[; or
               [(2)     $8 for each year or portion of a year remaining in
  the five-year registration period if the vehicle was manufactured
  before 1921].
         SECTION 28.  Section 504.504(a), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The department shall issue specialty license plates to a
  vehicle described by Subsection (b) or (c).  The fee for the license
  plates is $15 [$5].
         SECTION 29.  Section 504.505(c), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (c)  The initial fee for issuance of the license plates is
  $15 [$8].  The license plates may be renewed without payment of a
  fee.
         SECTION 30.  Section 504.506(b), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The fee for issuance of the license plates is $15 
  [$62.50].
         SECTION 31.  Section 504.507(b), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The fee for issuance of the license plates is $15 [$8].  
  The department shall:
               (1)  also collect any additional fee that a county
  imposes under this chapter for registration of a forestry vehicle;
  and
               (2)  send the fee to the appropriate county for
  disposition.
         SECTION 32.  Section 504.509, Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         Sec. 504.509.  VEHICLES CARRYING MOBILE AMATEUR RADIO
  EQUIPMENT. [(a)]  The department shall issue specialty license
  plates for a person who holds an amateur radio station license
  issued by the Federal Communications Commission and who operates
  receiving and transmitting mobile amateur radio equipment. The
  license plates shall include the person's amateur call letters as
  assigned by the Federal Communications Commission. A person may
  register more than one vehicle equipped with mobile amateur radio
  equipment under this section, and the department shall issue
  license plates that include the same amateur call letters for each
  vehicle.
         [(b)     The fee for issuance of the license plates is $2 for the
  first year and $1 for each subsequent year.]
         SECTION 33.  Sections 504.510(b) and (d), Transportation
  Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (b)  The fee for issuance of the license plates is $15 [$10].
         (d)  This section applies only to an owner of a golf cart who
  resides:
               (1)  on real property that is owned or under the control
  of the United States Corps of Engineers and is required by that
  agency to register the owner's golf cart under this chapter; and
               (2)  in a county that borders another state and has a
  population of more than 110,000 but less than 140,000 [111,000].
         SECTION 34.  Section 504.801(a), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The department may create new specialty license plates
  on its own initiative or on receipt of an application from a
  potential sponsor. A new specialty license plate created under
  this section must comply with each requirement of Section 504.702
  unless the license is created by the department on its own
  initiative. The department may permit a specialty license plate
  created under this section to be personalized. The redesign of an
  existing specialty license plate at the request of a sponsor shall
  be treated like the issuance of a new specialty license plate,
  except that the department may require a nonrefundable design fee
  [lower deposit amount to reflect the actual costs of redesigning
  the license plate].
         SECTION 35.  Section 152.025(b), Tax Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 152.025.  (b) The tax is $50 [$10].
         SECTION 36.  The following provisions of the Transportation
  Code are repealed:
               (1)  Section 502.007;
               (2)  Section 502.161(b);
               (3)  Section 502.170;
               (4)  Section 502.1705(c);
               (5)  Section 502.184(c)-(d) and (g)-(i);
               (6)  Section 502.187;
               (7)  Section 502.201(c);
               (8)  Section 502.453; and
               (9)  Section 504.5011.
         SECTION 37.  The changes in law made by this Act to Chapter
  502, Transportation Code, apply only to the fee for a registration
  period beginning on or after the effective date of this Act. A fee
  for a registration period beginning before the effective date of
  this Act is governed by the law in effect when the registration
  period began, and the former law is continued in effect for that
  purpose.
         SECTION 38.  The change in law made by this Act to Section
  152.025, Tax Code, does not affect taxes imposed before the
  effective date of this Act, and the law in effect before the
  effective date of this Act is continued in effect for purposes of
  the liability for and collection of those taxes.
         SECTION 39.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.