Texas 2009 81st Regular

Texas Senate Bill SB1636 House Committee Report / Bill

Filed 02/01/2025

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                    By: Carona S.B. No. 1636
 Substitute the following for S.B. No. 1636:
 By: Phillips C.S.S.B. No. 1636


 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 AN ACT
 relating to motor vehicle registration fees.
 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 SECTION 1. Section 501.134(a), Transportation Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (a) If a certificate of title is lost or destroyed, the
 owner or lienholder disclosed on the certificate may obtain, in the
 manner provided by this section and department rule, a certified
 copy of the lost or destroyed certificate of title directly from the
 department by applying on a form prescribed by the department and
 paying a fee of $25 [$2]. A fee collected under this subsection
 shall be deposited to the credit of the state highway fund and may
 be spent only as provided by Section 501.138.
 SECTION 2. Section 502.160, Transportation Code, is amended
 to read as follows:
 Sec. 502.160. FEE: MOTORCYCLE OR MOPED. The fee for a
 registration year for registration of a motorcycle or moped is $30.
 SECTION 3. The heading to Section 502.161, Transportation
 Code, is amended to read as follows:
 Sec. 502.161. FEE: VEHICLES THAT WEIGH 6,000 POUNDS OR LESS
 [PASSENGER CAR, MUNICIPAL BUS, PRIVATE BUS].
 SECTION 4. Section 502.161(a), Transportation Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (a) The fee for a registration year for registration of a
 vehicle with a gross weight of [passenger car, a municipal bus, or a
 private bus that weighs] 6,000 pounds or less is $58, unless
 otherwise provided in this chapter [:
 [(1)     $40.50 for a vehicle the model year of which is
 more than six years before the year in which the registration year
 begins;
 [(2)     $50.50 for a vehicle the model year of which is
 more than three years but is six years or less before the year in
 which the registration year begins; or
 [(3)     $58.50 for a vehicle the model year of which is
 three years or less before the year in which the registration year
 begins].
 SECTION 5. The heading to Section 502.162, Transportation
 Code, is amended to read as follows:
 Sec. 502.162. FEE: VEHICLES THAT WEIGH MORE THAN 6,000
 POUNDS [COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE OR TRUCK-TRACTOR].
 SECTION 6. Section 502.162(a), Transportation Code, is
 amended and Subsection (a-1) is added to read as follows:
 (a) The fee for a registration year for registration of a
 vehicle with a gross weight of more than 6,000 pounds is [commercial
 motor vehicle or truck-tractor is $25 plus an amount determined
 according to the vehicle's gross weight and tire equipment,] as
 follows unless otherwise provided in this chapter:
 Weight Classification  Fee Schedule  Weight Classification  Fee Schedule
 Weight Classification  Fee Schedule
 in pounds  in pounds
 in pounds
 6,001-10,000  $70  6,001-10,000  $70
 6,001-10,000  $70
 10,001-18,000  $125  10,001-18,000  $125
 10,001-18,000  $125
 18,001-25,999  $225  18,001-25,999  $225
 18,001-25,999  $225
 26,000-40,000  $325  26,000-40,000  $325
 26,000-40,000  $325
 40,001-54,999  $525  40,001-54,999  $525
 40,001-54,999  $525
 55,000-70,000  $725  55,000-70,000  $725
 55,000-70,000  $725
 70,001-80,000  $825  70,001-80,000  $825
 70,001-80,000  $825
 [Gross weight   Fee for each 100 pounds or [Gross weight Fee for each 100 pounds or
[Gross weight Fee for each 100 pounds or
 [in pounds   fraction of 100 pounds [in pounds fraction of 100 pounds
[in pounds fraction of 100 pounds
 [Equipped with    Equipped with   [Equipped with  Equipped with
  [Equipped with  Equipped with
 [pneumatic tires    solid tires   [pneumatic tires  solid tires
  [pneumatic tires  solid tires
 [1-6,000    $0.44    $0.55 [1-6,000  $0.44  $0.55
[1-6,000  $0.44  $0.55
 [6,001-8,000    0.495    0.66 [6,001-8,000  0.495  0.66
[6,001-8,000  0.495  0.66
 [8,001-10,000    0.605    0.77 [8,001-10,000  0.605  0.77
[8,001-10,000  0.605  0.77
 [10,001-17,000    0.715    0.88 [10,001-17,000  0.715  0.88
[10,001-17,000  0.715  0.88
 [17,001-24,000    0.77    0.99 [17,001-24,000  0.77  0.99
[17,001-24,000  0.77  0.99
 [24,001-31,000    0.88    1.10 [24,001-31,000  0.88  1.10
[24,001-31,000  0.88  1.10
 [31,001 and over    0.99    1.32] [31,001 and over  0.99  1.32]
[31,001 and over  0.99  1.32]
 SECTION 7. Section 502.164, Transportation Code, is amended
 to read as follows:
 Sec. 502.164. FEE: MOTOR VEHICLE USED EXCLUSIVELY TO
 TRANSPORT AND SPREAD FERTILIZER. (a) The fee for a registration
 year for registration of a motor vehicle designed or modified and
 used exclusively to transport to the field and spread fertilizer,
 including agricultural limestone, is $15 [$75].
 SECTION 8. Section 502.165, Transportation Code, is amended
 to read as follows:
 Sec. 502.165. FEE: ROAD TRACTOR. (a) The fee for a
 registration year for registration of a road tractor is the fee
 prescribed by [$25 plus an amount determined according to the
 vehicle's] weight as certified by a public weigher or a license and
 weight inspector of the Department of Public Safety under Section
 502.161 or 502.162, as applicable. [, as follows:
 [Fee for each 100 pounds  [Fee for each 100 pounds
 [Fee for each 100 pounds
 [Gross weight in   or [Gross weight in or
[Gross weight in or
 [pounds   fraction of 100 pounds [pounds fraction of 100 pounds
[pounds fraction of 100 pounds
 [1-4,000   $0.275 [1-4,000 $0.275
[1-4,000 $0.275
 [4,001-6,000   0.55 [4,001-6,000 0.55
[4,001-6,000 0.55
 [6,001-8,000   0.66 [6,001-8,000 0.66
[6,001-8,000 0.66
 [8,001-10,000   0.825 [8,001-10,000 0.825
[8,001-10,000 0.825
 [10,001 and over   1.10] [10,001 and over 1.10]
[10,001 and over 1.10]
 SECTION 9. The heading to Section 502.166, Transportation
 Code, is amended to read as follows:
 Sec. 502.166. FEE: TRAILER, TRAVEL TRAILER, OR
 SEMITRAILER.
 SECTION 10. Section 502.166, Transportation Code, is
 amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (a-1) to
 read as follows:
 (a) The fee for a registration year for registration of a
 trailer, travel trailer, or semitrailer with a [is $25 plus an
 amount determined according to the vehicle's] gross weight of 6,000
 pounds or less is $40.
 (a-1)  The fee for a registration year for registration of a
 trailer, travel trailer, or semitrailer with a gross weight of more
 than 6,000 pounds is calculated by gross weight according to
 Section 502.162. [and tire equipment, as follows:
 [Gross weight   Fee for each 100 pounds or [Gross weight Fee for each 100 pounds or
[Gross weight Fee for each 100 pounds or
 [in pounds   fraction of 100 pounds [in pounds fraction of 100 pounds
[in pounds fraction of 100 pounds
 [Equipped with    Equipped with   [Equipped with  Equipped with
  [Equipped with  Equipped with
 [pneumatic tires    solid tires   [pneumatic tires  solid tires
  [pneumatic tires  solid tires
 [1-6,000    $0.33    $0.44 [1-6,000  $0.33  $0.44
[1-6,000  $0.33  $0.44
 [6,001-8,000    0.44    0.55 [6,001-8,000  0.44  0.55
[6,001-8,000  0.44  0.55
 [8,001-10,000    0.55    0.66 [8,001-10,000  0.55  0.66
[8,001-10,000  0.55  0.66
 [10,001-17,000    0.66    0.88 [10,001-17,000  0.66  0.88
[10,001-17,000  0.66  0.88
 [17,001 and over    0.715    0.99] [17,001 and over  0.715  0.99]
[17,001 and over  0.715  0.99]
 SECTION 11. Sections 502.167(a), (b), (c), and (g),
 Transportation Code, are amended to read as follows:
 (a) This section applies only to a truck-tractor or
 commercial motor vehicle with a gross weight [manufacturer's rated
 carrying capacity] of more than 10,000 pounds [one ton] that is used
 or is to be used in combination with a semitrailer that has a gross
 weight of more than 6,000 pounds.
 (b) The [Notwithstanding Section 502.162, the] fee for a
 registration year for registration of a truck-tractor or commercial
 motor vehicle is calculated by gross weight according to Section
 502.162. [$40 plus an amount determined according to the combined
 gross weight of the vehicles, as follows:
 [Fee for each 100 pounds  [Fee for each 100 pounds
 [Fee for each 100 pounds
 [Combined gross weight   or [Combined gross weight or
[Combined gross weight or
 [in pounds   fraction of 100 pounds [in pounds fraction of 100 pounds
[in pounds fraction of 100 pounds
 [18,000-36,000   $0.60 [18,000-36,000 $0.60
[18,000-36,000 $0.60
 [36,001-42,000   0.75 [36,001-42,000 0.75
[36,001-42,000 0.75
 [42,001-62,000   0.90 [42,001-62,000 0.90
[42,001-62,000 0.90
 [62,001 and over   1.00] [62,001 and over 1.00]
[62,001 and over 1.00]
 (c) The [Notwithstanding Section 502.166, the] fee for a
 registration year for registration of a semitrailer used in the
 manner described by Subsection (a), regardless of the date the
 semitrailer is registered, is:
 (1) $30, for a semitrailer being propelled by a power
 unit for which a permit under Section 623.011 has been issued; or
 (2) $15, for a semitrailer being propelled by a power
 unit for which a permit under Section 623.011 has not been issued.
 (g) This section does not apply to:
 (1) a combination of vehicles that includes a vehicle
 that has a distinguishing license plate under Section 504.504;
 (2) a truck-tractor or commercial motor vehicle
 registered or to be registered with $15 [$5] distinguishing license
 plates for which the vehicle is eligible under this chapter;
 (3) a truck-tractor or commercial motor vehicle used
 exclusively in combination with a semitrailer of the housetrailer
 type; or
 (4) a vehicle registered or to be registered:
 (A) with a temporary registration permit;
 (B) under Section 502.163; or
 (C) under Section 502.188.
 SECTION 12. Section 502.168, Transportation Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 Sec. 502.168. FEE: MOTOR BUS. The fee for a registration
 year for registration of a motor bus is the fee prescribed by
 Section 502.161 or 502.162, as applicable. [$25 plus an amount
 determined according to the vehicle's gross weight, as follows:
 [Fee for each 100 pounds  [Fee for each 100 pounds
 [Fee for each 100 pounds
 [Gross weight   or [Gross weight or
[Gross weight or
 [in pounds   fraction of 100 pounds [in pounds fraction of 100 pounds
[in pounds fraction of 100 pounds
 [1-6,000   $0.44 [1-6,000 $0.44
[1-6,000 $0.44
 [6,001-8,000   0.495 [6,001-8,000 0.495
[6,001-8,000 0.495
 [8,001-10,000   0.605 [8,001-10,000 0.605
[8,001-10,000 0.605
 [10,001-17,000   0.715 [10,001-17,000 0.715
[10,001-17,000 0.715
 [17,001-24,000   0.77 [17,001-24,000 0.77
[17,001-24,000 0.77
 [24,001-31,000   0.88 [24,001-31,000 0.88
[24,001-31,000 0.88
 [31,001 and over   0.99] [31,001 and over 0.99]
[31,001 and over 0.99]
 SECTION 13. Section 502.1705(b), Transportation Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (b) The department may use money collected under this
 section to provide for or enhance [perform one or more of the
 following]:
 (1) [enhancing the department's automated
 registration and title system;
 [(2)     providing for the automated on-site production of
 registration insignia; or
 [(3) providing for] automated on-premises and
 off-premises [self-service] registration; and
 (2) services related to the titling of vehicles.
 SECTION 14. The heading to Section 502.184, Transportation
 Code, is amended to read as follows:
 Sec. 502.184. REPLACEMENT OF [LOST, STOLEN, OR MUTILATED
 LICENSE PLATE OR] REGISTRATION INSIGNIA.
 SECTION 15. Sections 502.184(a), (b), (e), and (f),
 Transportation Code, are amended to read as follows:
 (a) The owner of a registered motor vehicle may obtain [from
 the department through the county assessor-collector replacement
 license plates or] a replacement registration insignia by:
 (1) certifying [filing with the assessor-collector a
 statement:
 [(A)     showing that one or both of the license
 plates or the registration insignia to be replaced has been lost,
 stolen, or mutilated; and
 [(B) stating] that the replacement [no license
 plate or] registration insignia [to be replaced] will not be used on
 any other vehicle owned or operated by the person making the
 statement;
 (2) paying a fee of $5 plus the fees required by
 Section [Sections 502.170(a) and] 502.1705(a) for [each set of
 replacement license plates or] each replacement registration
 insignia, except as provided by other law [Subsection (b), (c), or
 (i)]; and
 (3) returning [to the assessor-collector] each
 replaced [plate or] registration insignia in the owner's
 possession.
 (b) No fee is required under this section if the replacement
 fee for a license plate has been paid under Section 502.1841 [for
 the replacement of lost, stolen, or mutilated specialized license
 plates issued under Sections 504.308 and 504.315(e) and (f)]. [The
 fee for replacement of certain specialized license plates is:
 [License plates issued under:    Fee: [License plates issued under:  Fee:
[License plates issued under:  Fee:
 [Section 504.411    $2 [Section 504.411  $2
[Section 504.411  $2
 [Section 504.409    $9] [Section 504.409  $9]
[Section 504.409  $9]
 (e) A county assessor-collector may not issue [replacement
 license plates or] a replacement registration insignia without
 complying with this section.
 (f) A county assessor-collector shall retain $2.50 of each
 fee collected under this section and shall report and send the
 remainder to the department [as provided by Sections 502.102 and
 502.105].
 SECTION 16. Subchapter D, Chapter 502, Transportation Code,
 is amended by adding Section 502.1841 to read as follows:
 Sec. 502.1841.  REPLACEMENT LICENSE PLATES. (a)  The owner
 of a registered motor vehicle may obtain replacement license plates
 for the vehicle by:
 (1)  certifying that the replacement plates will not be
 used on any other vehicle owned or operated by the person making the
 statement;
 (2)  paying a fee of $15 plus the fee required by
 Section 502.1705(a) for each set of replacement license plates,
 unless otherwise specified by law; and
 (3)  returning to the department each license plate in
 the owner's possession for which a replacement license plate is
 obtained.
 (b)  Replacement license plates may not be issued except as
 provided by this section.
 (c)  A county assessor-collector shall retain $2.50 of each
 fee collected under this section and forward the remainder of the
 fee to the department.
 (d)  The fee required by this section applies to the issuance
 of license plates for a transferred used vehicle for which the
 registration and license plates were not transferred under
 Subchapter I.
 SECTION 17. Section 502.203(c), Transportation Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (c) There is no fee [An applicant] for registration under
 this section [must pay a fee of $5].
 SECTION 18. Section 502.353(e), Transportation Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (e) The fee for a permit under this section is prescribed by
 Sections 502.161 and 502.162, as applicable [the fee that would be
 required for registering the vehicle under Section 502.162 or
 502.167, except as provided by Subsection (f)].
 SECTION 19. Section 504.101(d), Transportation Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (d) The department may not issue a replacement set of
 personalized license plates to the same person before the sixth
 anniversary of the date of issuance unless the applicant for
 issuance of replacement plates pays the [an additional] fee
 required by Section 502.1841 [of $30].
 SECTION 20. Section 504.401(c), Transportation Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (c) The license plates may be issued for up to two years and
 expire on [remain valid until] December 31 of the specified period
 [each year].
 SECTION 21. Section 504.407(c), Transportation Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (c) The fee for issuance of the license plates is $15 [$20].
 SECTION 22. Section 504.408(b), Transportation Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (b) There is no [The] fee for issuance of the license plates
 [is $10].
 SECTION 23. Section 504.409(b), Transportation Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (b) The fee for issuance of the license plates is $15 [$4].
 SECTION 24. Section 504.410(b), Transportation Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (b) The fee for issuance of the license plates is $15 [$8].
 SECTION 25. Section 504.411(b), Transportation Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (b) The fee for issuance of the license plates is $15 [$40].
 SECTION 26. Section 504.501, Transportation Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 Sec. 504.501. CLASSIC MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAVEL TRAILERS.
 (a) The department shall issue specialty license plates for a motor
 vehicle that is at least 25 years old. The license plates must
 include the word "Classic" [words "Classic Auto," "Classic
 Motorcycle," or "Classic Truck"] or a similar designation, as
 appropriate.
 (b) A person eligible for the license plates may instead use
 license plates that were issued by this state in the same year as
 the model year of the vehicle and are approved by the department if
 the plates are approved for the vehicle before January 1, 2012. The
 department may require the attachment of a registration insignia to
 the license plate in a manner that does not affect the display of
 information originally on the license plate.
 (c) The fee for issuance or approval of license plates under
 this section is $15.
 SECTION 27. Section 504.502(d) and (e), Transportation
 Code, is amended to read as follows:
 (d) License plates issued or approved under this section
 expire on the first [fifth] anniversary of the date of issuance or
 approval.
 (e) The fee for issuance or approval of license plates under
 this section is $15[:
 [(1) $10] for each year or portion of a year remaining
 in the five-year registration period if the vehicle was
 manufactured in 1921 or later[; or
 [(2)     $8 for each year or portion of a year remaining in
 the five-year registration period if the vehicle was manufactured
 before 1921].
 SECTION 28. Section 504.504(a), Transportation Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (a) The department shall issue specialty license plates to a
 vehicle described by Subsection (b) or (c). The fee for the license
 plates is $15 [$5].
 SECTION 29. Section 504.505(c), Transportation Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (c) The initial fee for issuance of the license plates is
 $15 [$8]. The license plates may be renewed without payment of a
 fee.
 SECTION 30. Section 504.506(b), Transportation Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (b) The fee for issuance of the license plates is $15
 [$62.50].
 SECTION 31. Section 504.507(b), Transportation Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (b) The fee for issuance of the license plates is $15 [$8].
 The department shall:
 (1) also collect any additional fee that a county
 imposes under this chapter for registration of a forestry vehicle;
 and
 (2) send the fee to the appropriate county for
 disposition.
 SECTION 32. Section 504.509, Transportation Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 Sec. 504.509. VEHICLES CARRYING MOBILE AMATEUR RADIO
 EQUIPMENT. [(a)] The department shall issue specialty license
 plates for a person who holds an amateur radio station license
 issued by the Federal Communications Commission and who operates
 receiving and transmitting mobile amateur radio equipment. The
 license plates shall include the person's amateur call letters as
 assigned by the Federal Communications Commission. A person may
 register more than one vehicle equipped with mobile amateur radio
 equipment under this section, and the department shall issue
 license plates that include the same amateur call letters for each
 vehicle.
 [(b)     The fee for issuance of the license plates is $2 for the
 first year and $1 for each subsequent year.]
 SECTION 33. Sections 504.510(b) and (d), Transportation
 Code, are amended to read as follows:
 (b) The fee for issuance of the license plates is $15 [$10].
 (d) This section applies only to an owner of a golf cart who
 resides:
 (1) on real property that is owned or under the control
 of the United States Corps of Engineers and is required by that
 agency to register the owner's golf cart under this chapter; and
 (2) in a county that borders another state and has a
 population of more than 110,000 but less than 140,000 [111,000].
 SECTION 34. Section 504.801(a), Transportation Code, is
 amended to read as follows:
 (a) The department may create new specialty license plates
 on its own initiative or on receipt of an application from a
 potential sponsor. A new specialty license plate created under
 this section must comply with each requirement of Section 504.702
 unless the license is created by the department on its own
 initiative. The department may permit a specialty license plate
 created under this section to be personalized. The redesign of an
 existing specialty license plate at the request of a sponsor shall
 be treated like the issuance of a new specialty license plate,
 except that the department may require a nonrefundable design fee
 [lower deposit amount to reflect the actual costs of redesigning
 the license plate].
 SECTION 35. Section 152.025(b), Tax Code, is amended to
 read as follows:
 Sec. 152.025. (b) The tax is $50 [$10].
 SECTION 36. The following provisions of the Transportation
 Code are repealed:
 (1) Section 502.007;
 (2) Section 502.161(b);
 (3) Section 502.170;
 (4) Section 502.1705(c);
 (5) Section 502.184(c)-(d) and (g)-(i);
 (6) Section 502.187;
 (7) Section 502.201(c);
 (8) Section 502.453; and
 (9) Section 504.5011.
 SECTION 37. The changes in law made by this Act to Chapter
 502, Transportation Code, apply only to the fee for a registration
 period beginning on or after the effective date of this Act. A fee
 for a registration period beginning before the effective date of
 this Act is governed by the law in effect when the registration
 period began, and the former law is continued in effect for that
 purpose.
 SECTION 38. The change in law made by this Act to Section
 152.025, Tax Code, does not affect taxes imposed before the
 effective date of this Act, and the law in effect before the
 effective date of this Act is continued in effect for purposes of
 the liability for and collection of those taxes.
 SECTION 39. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.

 Weight Classification  Fee Schedule

 in pounds

 6,001-10,000  $70

 10,001-18,000  $125

 18,001-25,999  $225

 26,000-40,000  $325

 40,001-54,999  $525

 55,000-70,000  $725

 70,001-80,000  $825

[Gross weight Fee for each 100 pounds or

[in pounds fraction of 100 pounds



  [Equipped with  Equipped with

  [pneumatic tires  solid tires

[1-6,000  $0.44  $0.55

[6,001-8,000  0.495  0.66

[8,001-10,000  0.605  0.77

[10,001-17,000  0.715  0.88

[17,001-24,000  0.77  0.99

[24,001-31,000  0.88  1.10

[31,001 and over  0.99  1.32]

 [Fee for each 100 pounds

[Gross weight in or

[pounds fraction of 100 pounds



[1-4,000 $0.275

[4,001-6,000 0.55

[6,001-8,000 0.66

[8,001-10,000 0.825

[10,001 and over 1.10]

[Gross weight Fee for each 100 pounds or

[in pounds fraction of 100 pounds



  [Equipped with  Equipped with

  [pneumatic tires  solid tires

[1-6,000  $0.33  $0.44

[6,001-8,000  0.44  0.55

[8,001-10,000  0.55  0.66

[10,001-17,000  0.66  0.88

[17,001 and over  0.715  0.99]

 [Fee for each 100 pounds

[Combined gross weight or

[in pounds fraction of 100 pounds

[18,000-36,000 $0.60

[36,001-42,000 0.75

[42,001-62,000 0.90

[62,001 and over 1.00]

 [Fee for each 100 pounds

[Gross weight or

[in pounds fraction of 100 pounds

[1-6,000 $0.44

[6,001-8,000 0.495

[8,001-10,000 0.605

[10,001-17,000 0.715

[17,001-24,000 0.77

[24,001-31,000 0.88

[31,001 and over 0.99]

[License plates issued under:  Fee:

[Section 504.411  $2

[Section 504.409  $9]