88R10755 BEE-D
 
  By: Miles S.B. No. 1448
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the location for which a wholesale motor vehicle dealer
  general distinguishing number may be issued.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 503.027, Transportation Code, is amended
  by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:
         (c)  A rule adopted by the board relating to a dealer
  location, including the classification of a location as an
  established and permanent place of business, may not:
               (1)  require that the dealer display an interior or
  exterior sign at a location that is a residential location
  described by Section 503.032(b)(2); or
               (2)  prohibit a wholesale motor vehicle dealer from
  being located in the same building as a retail dealer, except that a
  rule may prohibit a wholesale motor vehicle dealer from being
  located in the same office space as a retail dealer.
         SECTION 2.  Sections 503.032(a) and (b), Transportation
  Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  An applicant for a dealer general distinguishing number
  or wholesale motor vehicle auction general distinguishing number
  must demonstrate that the location for which the applicant requests
  the number is an established and permanent place of business.  
  Except as provided by Subsection (b), a [A] location is considered
  to be an established and permanent place of business if the
  applicant:
               (1)  owns the real property on which the business is
  situated or has a written lease for the property that has a term of
  not less than the term of the general distinguishing number;
               (2)  maintains on the location:
                     (A)  a permanent furnished office that is equipped
  as required by the department for the sale of the vehicles of the
  type specified in the application; and
                     (B)  a conspicuous sign with letters at least six
  inches high showing the name of the applicant's business; and
               (3)  has sufficient space on the location to display at
  least five vehicles of the type specified in the application.
         (b)  A location for which a wholesale motor vehicle dealer is
  applying [An applicant] for a general distinguishing number is
  considered to be an established and permanent place of business if
  the location:
               (1)  satisfies the requirements of Subsection (a),
  except that the location [as a wholesale motor vehicle dealer] is
  not required to have [maintain] display space as described by [in
  accordance with] Subsection (a)(3); or
               (2)  is a residential location equipped with:
                     (A)  Internet access; and
                     (B)  a working telephone number listed in the
  business name or assumed name under which the dealer conducts
  business.
         SECTION 3.  Section 503.032, Transportation Code, as amended
  by this Act, applies only to an application for an initial or
  renewal wholesale motor vehicle dealer general distinguishing
  number submitted on or after the effective date of this Act.  An
  application for an initial or renewal wholesale motor vehicle
  dealer general distinguishing number submitted before the
  effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the
  date the application was submitted, and the former law is continued
  in effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.