BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	H.B. 890
82R21231 NAJ-D	By: Howard, Charlie et al. (Davis)
	Transportation & Homeland Security
	5/2/2011
	Engrossed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

For many vehicle enthusiasts in Texas, building, maintaining, and enjoying their vehicles is a favorite pastime.  These vehicles are the same crowd pleasers that participate in exhibitions and as parade vehicles and whose owners regularly contribute to charities and civic events.  H.B. 890 establishes specialty license plates for custom vehicles and street rods and exempts such vehicles from inspection.

 

H.B. 890 amends current law relating to certain custom vehicles and street rods.

 

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 Subchapter B, Chapter 501, Transportation Code, by adding Section 501.038, as follows:

 

Sec. 501.038.  CERTIFICATE OF TITLE FOR CUSTOM VEHICLE OR STREET ROD.  (a)  Defines, in this section, "custom vehicle" and "street rod."

 

(b)  Requires that the model year and the make of the vehicle, notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, if the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) issues a certificate of title for a custom vehicle or street rod, be listed on the certificate of title and be the model year and make that the body of the vehicle resembles.  Requires that the certificate of title also include the word "replica."

 

(c)  Requires the owner of the custom vehicle or street rod to provide TxDMV with documentation identifying the model year and make that the body of the vehicle resembles.

 

SECTION 2.  Amends the heading to Section 504.501, Transportation Code, as effective September 1, 2011, to read as follows:

 

Sec. 504.501.  CLASSIC MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAVEL TRAILERS; CUSTOM VEHICLES; STREET RODS.

 

SECTION 3.  Amends Section 504.501, Transportation Code, as effective September 1, 2011, by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (d), (e), and (f), as follows:

 

(a)  Requires TxDMV to issue specialty license plates for a motor vehicle that is at least 25 years old or is a custom vehicle or street rod.  Requires that the license plates  include the word or words "Classic," "Custom Vehicle," or "Street Rod," or a similar designation, as appropriate.

 

(d)  Provides that, notwithstanding Chapter 547 (Vehicle Equipment), a custom vehicle or street rod eligible to receive license plates under this section is not required to be equipped with a specific piece of equipment unless the specific piece of equipment was required by statute as a condition of sale during the year listed as the model year on the certificate of title.

 

(e)  Requires the owner, on initial registration of a custom vehicle or street rod, to provide proof, acceptable to TxDMV, that the custom vehicle or street rod passed a safety inspection that has been approved by TxDMV.  Requires TxDMV to create a safety inspection process for inspecting custom vehicles and street rods.

 

(f)  Defines, in this section, "custom vehicle" and "street rod."

 

SECTION 4.  Amends Section 548.052, Transportation Code, to provide that this chapter does not apply to certain vehicles, including a vehicle moving under or bearing a paper dealer in-transit tag, machinery license, disaster license, parade license, prorate tab, one-trip permit, antique license, custom vehicle license, street rod license, temporary 24-hour permit, or permit license, or a former military vehicle, as defined by Section 504.502 (Certain Exhibition Vehicles; Offense), rather than Section 502.275.

 

SECTION 5.  Effective date: September 1, 2011.