BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 2243

By: West

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The bill sponsor has informed the committee that inspections of vehicle identification numbers (VIN) are a valuable tool to assist the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) and law enforcement in identifying stolen vehicles and preventing fraudulent transactions involving vehicles. S.B. 2243 seeks to address this issue by providing for TxDMV to require VIN inspections by rule when a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer cannot be positively identified through other methods.

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 rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles in SECTION 1 of this bill.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 2243 amends the Transportation Code to remove the specification in the provision requiring that a motor vehicle, trailer, or semitrailer have a vehicle identification number inspection under the Certificate of Title Act, if it is not titled under the act due to certain conditions, is in addition to any requirement established by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) rule. The bill, however, establishes that TxDMV by rule may establish additional categories of motor vehicles, trailers, or semitrailers not specified under that provision of the act that are required to have a vehicle identification number inspection.

S.B. 2243 requires a rule adopted under the bill's provisions to verify, as applicable, the identity of a motor vehicle, a trailer or semitrailer, a frame, body, or motor of a motor vehicle, or an item of equipment not required to be titled but that may be registered or issued licensed plates under applicable statutory provisions.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2025.