81R5311 JD-F

By: Ellis S.B. No. 2219

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the authority of a municipality to impose a civil penalty on the owner of certain motor vehicles parked on a highway under the jurisdiction of the municipality that do not display a valid registration insignia or inspection certificate.

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

SECTION 1. Section 502.003(b), Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b) This section does not affect the authority of a municipality to:

(1) license and regulate the use of motor vehicles for compensation within the municipal limits; [and]

(2) impose a permit fee or street rental charge for the operation of each motor vehicle used to transport passengers for compensation, other than a motor vehicle operating under a registration certificate from the department or a permit from the federal Surface Transportation Board; and

(3) impose a civil penalty on the owner of a motor vehicle that:

(A) displays a license plate issued under this chapter or Chapter 504;

(B) is parked on a highway under the jurisdiction of the municipality; and

(C) does not display a valid registration insignia issued under this chapter or Chapter 504.

SECTION 2. Section 548.602, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows:

(b-1) The governing body of a municipality may enact an ordinance that imposes a civil penalty on the owner of a motor vehicle that:

(1) displays a license plate issued under Chapter 502 or 504;

(2) is parked on a highway under the jurisdiction of the municipality; and

(3) does not display a valid inspection certificate issued under this chapter.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.