BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2433

By: Pickett

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties contend that the establishment of a permanent token trailer registration in Texas will increase the state's competiveness for token trailer registrations nationally, while helping to simplify the registration process. H.B. 2433 seeks to address this issue by revising the registration process for a token trailer and providing for the issuance of a permanent license plate for such a trailer.

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. 2433 amends the Transportation Code to set the registration fee for a semitrailer used in combination with a certain truck-tractor or commercial motor vehicle and registered with a permanent license plate at $80 and to require the license plate for such a semitrailer to include the word "Permanent." The bill replaces the authorization for the alphanumeric pattern for such a license plate to remain on a token trailer for as long as the trailer's registration is renewed or until the trailer is removed from service or sold with an authorization for the license plate to remain on the token trailer until the trailer is removed from service or sold and requires the removal of the license plate if the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) cancels, suspends, or revokes the trailer's registration as provided by law or TxDMV rule. The bill changes the type of additional fees a person may be required to pay to register a semitrailer from any applicable county fee to be credited to the county road and bridge fund for each year included in the registration period to any other applicable vehicle registration fee for each year the semitrailer is registered or at each registration, as applicable. The bill changes the manner in which TxDMV is required to issue a license plate for a token trailer registered as part of a commercial vehicle fleet to reflect the manner required for the issuance of a license plate for a semitrailer used in combination with a certain truck-tractor or commercial motor vehicle.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.