BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1505

By: Martinez

Homeland Security & Public Safety

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Concerns have been raised regarding a potential loophole in state law regarding the operation of some motor carriers who transport household goods after they are convicted of operating without the appropriate registration. It has been suggested that law enforcement is often unaware as to whether offenders are repeat violators, leaving these repeat offenders free to continue operating after receiving only a ticket. H.B. 1505 seeks to address this issue by ensuring that these offenses are properly recorded and maintained by the Department of Public Safety. 

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. 1505 amends the Transportation Code to require a convicting court, as soon as practicable after the date a person is convicted of an offense for engaging in or soliciting the transportation of household goods for compensation without the requisite registration, to notify the Department of Public Safety (DPS) of the conviction. The bill requires the notice to be in a form prescribed by DPS and to contain the person's driver's license number. The bill requires such a conviction to be recorded in the person's driving record maintained by DPS.   

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.