By: Seliger S.B. No. 1816
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to certain temporary vehicle permits and tags.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 502.094, Transportation Code, is amended
  by adding Subsection (i) to read as follows:
         (i)  A permit issued under this section must be carried in
  the vehicle, or, if the vehicle is a trailer or semitrailer, in the
  motor vehicle pulling the trailer or semitrailer, at all times
  during the period in which the permit is valid, including when the
  vehicle is being operated.
         SECTION 2.  Section 502.095(f), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (f)  A registration receipt shall be carried in the vehicle
  at all times during the period in which it is valid.  The permit
  [temporary tag] must contain all pertinent information required by
  this section and must be attached to the vehicle in the license
  plate display area located at the rear of the vehicle, so that the
  entire permit is visible and legible at all times, including when
  the vehicle is being operated. If the vehicle does not have a
  license plate display area at the rear of the vehicle, the permit
  [displayed in the rear window of the vehicle so that the tag is
  clearly visible and legible when viewed from the rear of the
  vehicle.  If the vehicle does not have a rear window, the temporary
  tag] must be attached to [on or carried in] the vehicle to allow
  ready inspection.  The registration receipt must be carried, in a
  manner prescribed by the department, in the vehicle at all times
  during the period in which it is valid.
         SECTION 3.  Section 502.474, Transportation Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 502.474.  OPERATION OF ONE-TRIP PERMIT VEHICLE.  A
  person commits an offense if the person operates a vehicle for which
  a one-trip permit is required without the registration receipt and
  properly displayed permit [temporary tag].
         SECTION 4.  Section 503.0626(a), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The department shall develop, manage, and maintain a
  secure, real-time database of information on vehicles to which
  dealers and converters have affixed temporary tags. [The database
  shall be managed by the vehicle titles and registration division of
  the department.]
         SECTION 5.  Section 503.0631(a), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The department shall develop, manage, and maintain a
  secure, real-time database of information on persons to whom
  temporary buyer's tags are issued that may be used by a law
  enforcement agency in the same manner that the agency uses vehicle
  registration information. [The database shall be managed by the
  vehicle titles and registration division of the department.]
         SECTION 6.  Subchapter C, Chapter 503, Transportation Code,
  is amended by adding Section 503.0632 to read as follows:
         Sec. 503.0632.  MAXIMUM NUMBER OF TEMPORARY TAGS. (a) The
  department by rule may establish the maximum number of temporary
  tags that a dealer or converter may obtain under Section 503.062,
  503.0625, 503.0626, 503.063, or 503.0631.
         (b)  The maximum number of temporary tags that the department
  determines a dealer or converter may obtain under this section must
  be based on the dealer's or converter's anticipated need for
  temporary tags, taking into consideration:
               (1)  the dealer's or converter's:
                     (A)  time in operation;
                     (B)  sales data; and
                     (C)  expected growth;
               (2)  expected changes in the dealer's or converter's
  market; and
               (3)  temporary conditions that may affect sales by the
  dealer or converter.
         (c)  At the request of a dealer or converter, the department
  may authorize additional temporary tags of any type for the dealer
  or converter if the dealer or converter demonstrates a need for
  additional temporary tags resulting from business operations,
  including anticipated need.
         (d)  The department's denial of a request under Subsection
  (c) may be overturned if a dealer or converter shows by a
  preponderance of the evidence the need for additional temporary
  tags.
         SECTION 7.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.