BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 554

By: Vasut

Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Current state law requires all outboard motors to be titled. It can be difficult to track down proper paperwork to obtain a title for an antique outboard motor given the passage of time between transfers of ownership. In turn, this makes it difficult for residents to collect and legally use antique outboard motors on Texas waterways. H.B. 554 seeks to address the difficulty residents encounter when trying to collect and legally use antique outboard motors by exempting certain antique outboard motors from titling requirements.

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. 554 amends the Parks and Wildlife Code to exempt an outboard motor that is at least 40 years of age with a capacity of not more than 25 horsepower from certificate of title requirements for outboard motors.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.