BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1759 By: Watson Transportation & Homeland Security 3/27/2009 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Currently, registrations for every vehicle must be completed on an annual basis on the anniversary date of the last sticker purchase. A company with a fleet of 12,000 vehicles in Texas must complete registration renewals on a monthly basis throughout the calendar year in volumes of approximately 500 to 1,600 vehicles per month. As proposed, S.B. 1759 permits extended registration for fleet vehicles to increase efficiencies and cost saving associated with long term licensing while increasing revenues for the state and associated cost saving for participating eligible companies. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Department of Transportation in SECTION 1 (Section 502.0023, Transportation Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 502, Transportation Code, by adding Section 502.0023, as follows: Sec. 502.0023. PERMANENT REGISTRATION OF FLEET VEHICLES. (a) Defines "fleet." (b) Requires that fleets consist of at least 50 motor vehicles to qualify for the program created in this section. (c) Authorizes the registered owner of a fleet of vehicles consisting of commercial motor vehicles based in the state, or passenger automobiles, notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, to apply to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for license plates, permanent decals, and registration cards. (d) Requires the owner or lessee of a fleet of motor vehicles, upon application in the manner and at the time prescribed, to be issued permanent fleet license plates and a registration card. (e) Requires the plates, which are required to be of a distinctive color, to have the word "Fleet" and/or at the registered owner's choice the company name and/or logo appearing at the bottom and the word "Texas" appearing at the top. Requires the plate to conform in all respects to the provisions of this chapter, except as specified herein. (f) Requires that an annual fleet management fee of $10 per vehicle in the fleet, in addition to the license tax otherwise prescribed in this chapter, be charged. Requires that a one-time license plate manufacturing fee of $1.50 be charged for plates issued for the established number of vehicles in the fleet. Requires that payment of all registration license taxes and fees be paid in advance for a period of not less than three years and not greater than 10 years. Provides that upon payment of all registration license taxes and fees, no annual validation window sticker is required for the entire period paid for in advance. Provides that only a registration card will be issued for the period elected. (g) Provides that failure to comply with this section may result in suspension or termination from the fleet program. (h) Authorizes TxDOT to adopt rules to comply with this section. SECTION 2. Effective date: January 1, 2010.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1759
By: Watson
Transportation & Homeland Security
3/27/2009
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, registrations for every vehicle must be completed on an annual basis on the anniversary date of the last sticker purchase. A company with a fleet of 12,000 vehicles in Texas must complete registration renewals on a monthly basis throughout the calendar year in volumes of approximately 500 to 1,600 vehicles per month.
As proposed, S.B. 1759 permits extended registration for fleet vehicles to increase efficiencies and cost saving associated with long term licensing while increasing revenues for the state and associated cost saving for participating eligible companies.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Department of Transportation in SECTION 1 (Section 502.0023, Transportation Code) of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 502, Transportation Code, by adding Section 502.0023, as follows:
Sec. 502.0023. PERMANENT REGISTRATION OF FLEET VEHICLES. (a) Defines "fleet."
(b) Requires that fleets consist of at least 50 motor vehicles to qualify for the program created in this section.
(c) Authorizes the registered owner of a fleet of vehicles consisting of commercial motor vehicles based in the state, or passenger automobiles, notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, to apply to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for license plates, permanent decals, and registration cards.
(d) Requires the owner or lessee of a fleet of motor vehicles, upon application in the manner and at the time prescribed, to be issued permanent fleet license plates and a registration card.
(e) Requires the plates, which are required to be of a distinctive color, to have the word "Fleet" and/or at the registered owner's choice the company name and/or logo appearing at the bottom and the word "Texas" appearing at the top. Requires the plate to conform in all respects to the provisions of this chapter, except as specified herein.
(f) Requires that an annual fleet management fee of $10 per vehicle in the fleet, in addition to the license tax otherwise prescribed in this chapter, be charged. Requires that a one-time license plate manufacturing fee of $1.50 be charged for plates issued for the established number of vehicles in the fleet. Requires that payment of all registration license taxes and fees be paid in advance for a period of not less than three years and not greater than 10 years. Provides that upon payment of all registration license taxes and fees, no annual validation window sticker is required for the entire period paid for in advance. Provides that only a registration card will be issued for the period elected.
(g) Provides that failure to comply with this section may result in suspension or termination from the fleet program.
(h) Authorizes TxDOT to adopt rules to comply with this section.
SECTION 2. Effective date: January 1, 2010.