BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1262

By: Bell, Keith

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Concerns have been raised about the registration requirements of certain trailers not subject to state inspection, many of which are farm and ranch trailers used by individuals for agricultural purposes. It has been suggested that the frequency with which these trailers must be registered creates a burden on trailer owners, state agencies, and local governmental agencies. H.B. 1262 seeks to address this issue by providing for an extended registration period for these vehicles.

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. 1262 amends the Transportation Code to require the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) to develop and implement a system of registration to allow an owner of a trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer not subject to state inspection and having an actual gross weight or registered gross weight of 7,500 pounds or less to register the vehicle for an extended registration period of not more than five years. The bill authorizes the owner to select the number of years for extended registration within that range and register the vehicle for that period. The bill makes payment for all applicable fees, including registration fees and the fee required for certain inspection-exempt vehicles, for the entire registration period selected due at the time of registration. The bill requires the $7.50 fee collected at the time of registration of a trailer, semitrailer, or pole trailer not subject to state inspection that has an actual gross weight or registered gross weight of more than 4,500 pounds to be remitted to the comptroller of public accounts for deposit in the Texas mobility fund, the general revenue fund, and the clean air account in amounts proportionate to the allocation prescribed by statutory provisions relating to that fee. The bill requires TxDMV, not later than February 1, 2020, to adopt the system of extended registration and any rules necessary to implement the bill's provisions relating to that system.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2019.