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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to certain temporary vehicle permits and tags. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 502.094, Transportation Code, is amended |
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by adding Subsection (i) to read as follows: |
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(i) A permit issued under this section must be carried in |
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the vehicle, or, if the vehicle is a trailer or semitrailer, in the |
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motor vehicle pulling the trailer or semitrailer, at all times |
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during the period in which the permit is valid, including when the |
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vehicle is being operated. |
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SECTION 2. Section 502.095(f), Transportation Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(f) A registration receipt shall be carried in the vehicle |
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at all times during the period in which it is valid. The permit |
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[temporary tag] must contain all pertinent information required by |
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this section and must be attached to the vehicle in the license |
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plate display area located at the rear of the vehicle, so that the |
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entire permit is visible and legible at all times, including when |
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the vehicle is being operated. If the vehicle does not have a |
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license plate display area at the rear of the vehicle, the permit |
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[displayed in the rear window of the vehicle so that the tag is |
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clearly visible and legible when viewed from the rear of the |
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vehicle. If the vehicle does not have a rear window, the temporary |
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tag] must be attached to [on or carried in] the vehicle to allow |
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ready inspection. The registration receipt must be carried, in a |
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manner prescribed by the department, in the vehicle at all times |
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during the period in which it is valid. |
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SECTION 3. Section 502.474, Transportation Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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Sec. 502.474. OPERATION OF ONE-TRIP PERMIT VEHICLE. A |
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person commits an offense if the person operates a vehicle for which |
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a one-trip permit is required without the registration receipt and |
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properly displayed permit [temporary tag]. |
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SECTION 4. Section 503.0626(a), Transportation Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) The department shall develop, manage, and maintain a |
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secure, real-time database of information on vehicles to which |
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dealers and converters have affixed temporary tags. [The database |
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shall be managed by the vehicle titles and registration division of |
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the department.] |
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SECTION 5. Section 503.0631(a), Transportation Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) The department shall develop, manage, and maintain a |
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secure, real-time database of information on persons to whom |
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temporary buyer's tags are issued that may be used by a law |
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enforcement agency in the same manner that the agency uses vehicle |
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registration information. [The database shall be managed by the |
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vehicle titles and registration division of the department.] |
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SECTION 6. Subchapter C, Chapter 503, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 503.0632 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 503.0632. MAXIMUM NUMBER OF TEMPORARY TAGS. (a) The |
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department by rule may establish the maximum number of temporary |
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tags that a dealer or converter may obtain under Section 503.062, |
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503.0625, 503.0626, 503.063, or 503.0631. |
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(b) The maximum number of temporary tags that the department |
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determines a dealer or converter may obtain under this section must |
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be based on the dealer's or converter's anticipated need for |
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temporary tags, taking into consideration: |
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(1) the dealer's or converter's: |
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(A) time in operation; |
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(B) sales data; and |
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(C) expected growth; |
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(2) expected changes in the dealer's or converter's |
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market; and |
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(3) temporary conditions that may affect sales by the |
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dealer or converter. |
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(c) At the request of a dealer or converter, the department |
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may authorize additional temporary tags of any type for the dealer |
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or converter if the dealer or converter demonstrates a need for |
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additional temporary tags resulting from business operations, |
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including anticipated need. |
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(d) The department's denial of a request under Subsection |
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(c) may be overturned if a dealer or converter shows by a |
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preponderance of the evidence the need for additional temporary |
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tags. |
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SECTION 7. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |
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