BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1356 By: Lucio Transportation & Homeland Security 8/10/2009 Enrolled AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Currently, Section 501.033, Transportation Code, addressing assignment of vehicle identification numbers of certain vehicles requires an Application for Assigned or Reassigned Number (form VTR-68-A), which is a combined application and inspection report, to accompany title transfer documents that result from auction sales, foreign vehicles, mechanic's liens, storage liens, and title hearings. The inspection report is required to be completed by a law enforcement officer who is a member of an auto theft unit. The inspection process to conduct the inspections requires a significant investment of human resources. The inspection includes verifying a public vehicle identification number with a confidential vehicle identification number. S.B. 1356 amends current law relating to a fee associated with the assignment of a vehicle identification number by the Texas Department of Transportation. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 501.033, Transportation Code, by adding Subsection (e), as follows: (e) Authorizes the auto theft unit of a county or municipal law enforcement agency, if the agency conducts an inspection required by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) under this section, to impose a fee of $40. Requires the county or municipal treasurer to credit the fee to the general fund of the county or municipality, as applicable, to defray the agency's cost associated with the inspection. Requires that the fee be waived by TxDOT or the agency imposing the fee if the person applying under this section is the current registered owner. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2009.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1356
By: Lucio
Transportation & Homeland Security
8/10/2009
Enrolled
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, Section 501.033, Transportation Code, addressing assignment of vehicle identification numbers of certain vehicles requires an Application for Assigned or Reassigned Number (form VTR-68-A), which is a combined application and inspection report, to accompany title transfer documents that result from auction sales, foreign vehicles, mechanic's liens, storage liens, and title hearings.
The inspection report is required to be completed by a law enforcement officer who is a member of an auto theft unit. The inspection process to conduct the inspections requires a significant investment of human resources. The inspection includes verifying a public vehicle identification number with a confidential vehicle identification number.
S.B. 1356 amends current law relating to a fee associated with the assignment of a vehicle identification number by the Texas Department of Transportation.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 501.033, Transportation Code, by adding Subsection (e), as follows:
(e) Authorizes the auto theft unit of a county or municipal law enforcement agency, if the agency conducts an inspection required by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) under this section, to impose a fee of $40. Requires the county or municipal treasurer to credit the fee to the general fund of the county or municipality, as applicable, to defray the agency's cost associated with the inspection. Requires that the fee be waived by TxDOT or the agency imposing the fee if the person applying under this section is the current registered owner.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2009.