Honorable Larry Phillips, Chair, House Committee on Transportation
FROM:
John S O'Brien, Director, Legislative Budget Board
IN RE:
HB787 by Kuempel (Relating to abandoned, wrecked, dismantled, discarded, and inoperable aircraft and vessels.), Committee Report 1st House, Substituted
No fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
The bill would amend the Transportation Code to authorize a law enforcement agency to remove, preserve, store, and dispose of abandoned aircraft, and to collect reasonable fees for storage for not more than 10 days. If the abandoned motor vehicle is not claimed, the owner or lienholder waives all rights and consents to the sale of the item with proceeds going towards the cost of the auction and other related expenses.
The bill also adds the definition of a “junked vehicle” which includes a motor vehicle, aircraft, or watercraft that does not have a current license plate, inspection, or a registered federal aircraft identification number.
The fiscal impact to a local law enforcement agency would vary depending on the number of abandoned aircraft and the costs associated with removing, storing, and disposing the aircraft; however, it is not anticipated to be significant.
The bill would also amend portions of the Parks and Wildlife Code relating to the title for abandoned vessels, as defined by the bill. After seven days, an individual may apply for a certificate of title for an abandoned vessel, which the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) may process after the applicant meets certain conditions. To the extent the bill would result in a change in TPWD procedures to process certificates for title applications, the duties reasonably can be absorbed within the department’s existing resources. The bill would take effect September 1, 2011.
Local Government Impact
The fiscal impact to a local law enforcement agency would vary depending on the number of abandoned aircraft and the costs associated with removing, storing, and disposing the aircraft; however, it is not anticipated to be significant.
Source Agencies:
802 Parks and Wildlife Department, 405 Department of Public Safety