BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1360

By: Isaac

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note the heroic actions of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary in assisting the U.S. Coast Guard during normal and emergency situations. These parties contend that certain vehicles owned by units of the Coast Guard Auxiliary headquartered in Texas should be exempt from vehicle registration fees. H.B. 1360 seeks to address this issue.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 1360 amends the Transportation Code to include a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer owned by units of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary headquartered in Texas and used exclusively for conduct of U.S. Coast Guard or Coast Guard Auxiliary business and operations, including search and rescue, emergency communications, and disaster operations, among the vehicles exempted from the payment of vehicle registration fees and for which the owner is authorized to annually apply for registration exempting the vehicle from such fees. The bill requires an application for registration of such a vehicle to include a statement signed by a person having authority to act for the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary that the vehicle or trailer is used exclusively in fulfillment of an authorized mission of the U.S. Coast Guard or Coast Guard Auxiliary, including search and rescue, patrol, emergency communications, or disaster operations.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2015.