87R14418 TYPED
 
  By: Harris H.B. No. 4379
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the ownership or operation of a motor vehicle
  dealership by a manufacturer or distributor of motor vehicles
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 2301.252(a), Occupations Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  A person may not engage in the business of buying,
  selling, or exchanging new motor vehicles unless the person:
               (1)  holds a franchised dealer's license issued under
  this chapter for the make of new motor vehicle being bought, sold,
  or exchanged[;] or
               [(2)]  is a bona fide employee of the holder of a
  franchised dealer's license; or
               (2)  is a manufacturer or distributor described by
  Section 2301.476(i-1) or is a bona fide employee of the
  manufacturer or distributor.
         SECTION 2.  Section 2301.476, Occupations Code, is amended
  by adding Subsection (i-1) to read as follows:
         (i-1)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter,
  a manufacturer or distributor may own or operate a dealership, may
  own, operate, or otherwise act in the capacity of a dealer, and may
  obtain a dealer general distinguishing number if:
               (1)  the manufacturer or distributor manufactures or
  distributes motor vehicles powered only by electricity or battery;
  and
               (2)  the manufacturer's line-make has never been sold
  in this state through an independent franchised new motor vehicle
  dealership.
         SECTION 3.  Section 503.029(a), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  An applicant for an original or renewal dealer general
  distinguishing number must submit to the department a written
  application on a form that:
               (1)  is provided by the department;
               (2)  contains the information required by the
  department;
               (3)  contains information that demonstrates the person
  meets the requirements prescribed by Section 503.032;
               (4)  contains information that demonstrates the
  applicant has complied with all applicable state laws and municipal
  ordinances;
               (5)  states that the applicant agrees to allow the
  department to examine during working hours the ownership papers for
  each registered or unregistered vehicle in the applicant's
  possession or control; and
               (6)  specifies whether the applicant proposes to be a:
                     (A)  franchised motor vehicle dealer;
                     (B)  independent motor vehicle dealer;
                     (C)  wholesale motor vehicle dealer;
                     (D)  motorcycle dealer;
                     (E)  house trailer dealer;
                     (F)  trailer or semitrailer dealer; [or]
                     (G)  independent mobility motor vehicle dealer;
  or
                     (H)  manufacturer or distributor described by
  Section 2301.476(i-1), Occupations Code.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.