BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 4924

By: Canales

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The bill author has informed the committee that the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) requires electronic signatures to be physically printed or affixed to documents and requires evidence of a stamped invalidation of surrendered or invalidated titles; however, when transferring titles, vehicle dealers must electronically send these titles to TxDMV, and physically printing electronic signatures delays the title transfer process and places an administrative cost and workload burden on dealers. H.B. 4924 seeks to reduce delays and enhance service for Texas vehicle owners and businesses by prohibiting TxDMV from requiring as a condition of accepting certain electronic documentation for the transfer of a motor vehicle title that an electronic signature be physically printed or affixed upon a document or evidence of a stamped invalidation of a superseded or invalidated title or certified copy of title.

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. 4924 amends the Transportation Code to prohibit the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV), if a document, including a secure document, is executed with an electronic signature and electronically transmitted to TxDMV in accordance with the requirements of provisions relating to the validity of electronic documents for the transfer of a motor vehicle title, from requiring the following as a condition of accepting the document:

· the electronic signature to be physically printed or affixed upon the document; or

· evidence of the stamped invalidation of a superseded or invalidated title or certified copy of title.

EFFECTIVE DATE

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