BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 4916

By: Canales

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Current law requires a dealer to formally assign a motor vehicle title to the dealer before transferring the title to a buyer, even if the dealer's name is already listed on the title. The bill author has informed the committee that the title assigning requirement can create unnecessary administrative burdens and delays in the sales process, particularly when a dealer is reselling a vehicle. H.B. 4916 seeks to streamline title assignment procedures, improve efficiency in motor vehicle transactions, and facilitate smoother operations for Texas auto dealers by allowing a dealer who has been issued a title in the dealer's name either by the state or another jurisdiction to sell the vehicle without having to formally assign the title to themselves before making a subsequent sale.

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. 4916 amends the Transportation Code to establish that a dealer issued a motor vehicle title in the dealer's name by the state or another jurisdiction is not required to make assignment to the dealer before any subsequent sale, provided that the dealer's name on the title matches the name on the license issued to the dealer under statutory provisions relating to dealer's and manufacturer's license plates.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2025.