BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center

H.B. 3256

83R7531 JRR-D

By: Kacal; Cook (Uresti)

 

Transportation

 

5/9/2013

 

Engrossed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

The 82nd Legislature created the agriculture and timber producers registration number for tax exemption purposes.  However, current statute does not require the producer to present this tax identification number when applying for agriculture considerations such as specialty agriculture license plates, vehicle registration, or short term permits to carry excess weight.  Interested parties have stated that these agriculture considerations are open to abuse without the producers having to present the tax registration number.

 

H.B. 3256 seeks to remedy this situation by requiring a producer to present this tax registration number when applying for the agriculture considerations.  The bill also requires that the comptroller make the online verification system available to the county tax assessors.

 

H.B. 3256 amends current law relating to the eligibility of certain vehicles to be operated as farm vehicles on a road or highway in this state.

 

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 Section 502.146, Transportation Code, by adding Subsection (h), as follows:

 

(h)  Prohibits a specialty license plate from being issued under Subsection (a) to an owner of a vehicle described by Subsection (b)(1) (relating to providing that an owner is not required to register a vehicle that is used only temporarily on the highways if the vehicle is a farm trailer or farm semitrailer with a gross weight of more than 4,000 pounds but not more than 34,000 pounds that is used for certain purposes) unless the vehicle's owner provides a registration number issued by the comptroller under Section 151.1551 (Registration Number Required for Timber and Certain Agricultural Items), Tax Code.  Requires the comptroller of public accounts of the State of Texas (comptroller) to allow access to the online system established under Section 151.1551(l) (relating to requiring the comptroller to develop and operate an online system to enable a seller of an item to search and verify the validity of the registration number stated on an exemption certificate), Tax Code, to verify a registration number provided under this subsection.

 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 502.433, Transportation Code, by adding Subsection (a-1), as follows:

 

(a-1)  Prohibits a commercial motor vehicle from being registered under this section unless the vehicle's owner provides a registration number issued by the comptroller under Section 151.1551, Tax Code.  Requires the comptroller to allow access to the online system established under Section 151.1551(l), Tax Code, to verify a registration number provided under this subsection.

 

SECTION 3.  Amends Section 502.434, Transportation Code, by adding Subsection (a-1), as follows:

 

(a-1)  Prohibits a permit from being issued under this section unless the vehicle's owner provides a registration number issued by the comptroller under Section 151.1551, Tax Code.  Requires the comptroller to allow access to the online system established under Section 151.1551(l), Tax Code, to verify a registration number provided under this subsection.

 

SECTION 4.  Makes application of the change in law made by this Act to Sections 502.146, 502.433, and 502.434, Transportation Code, prospective.

 

SECTION 5.  Effective date:  September 1, 2013.