BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 685 83R3740 JRR-D By: Carona Transportation 3/4/2013 As Filed
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 685
83R3740 JRR-D By: Carona
Transportation
3/4/2013
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 685
83R3740 JRR-D
By: Carona
Transportation
3/4/2013
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Token trailersany trailer over 6,000 pounds pulled by a truck or cab that has apportioned or combination truck registrationmay be registered in Texas, but travel well beyond the state's borders. The current system of registration requires license plate updating and the placement of paperwork on or in the trailer, which is a burden for the trailer owner, whose units may be in any number of locations outside the state, including traveling cross-country on a rail car or in Canada or Mexico. S.B. 685 creates a nonexpiring license plate and enables the Internet registration of trailers. Trailer owners will be able to renew trailer registration without requiring physical access or alteration to the trailer. As proposed, S.B. 685 amends current law relating to the registration of token trailers. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles in SECTION 2 of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 502.255(i), Transportation Code, by requiring, rather than authorizing, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) to issue specially designed nonexpiring license plates for token trailers. Requires that the nonexpiring license plate remain displayed on the token trailer until the trailer is sold or removed from service or the license plate is not legible. Requires TxDMV to provide for a person to register a token trailer under this subsection on the TxDMV's Internet website. SECTION 2. Requires TxDMV to adopt rules for the administration of Section 502.255(i), Transportation Code, as amended by this Act, as soon as practicable after this Act takes effect. Authorizes TxDMV to adopt the rules in the manner provided by law for emergency rules. SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Token trailersany trailer over 6,000 pounds pulled by a truck or cab that has apportioned or combination truck registrationmay be registered in Texas, but travel well beyond the state's borders.
The current system of registration requires license plate updating and the placement of paperwork on or in the trailer, which is a burden for the trailer owner, whose units may be in any number of locations outside the state, including traveling cross-country on a rail car or in Canada or Mexico.
S.B. 685 creates a nonexpiring license plate and enables the Internet registration of trailers. Trailer owners will be able to renew trailer registration without requiring physical access or alteration to the trailer.
As proposed, S.B. 685 amends current law relating to the registration of token trailers.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles in SECTION 2 of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 502.255(i), Transportation Code, by requiring, rather than authorizing, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) to issue specially designed nonexpiring license plates for token trailers. Requires that the nonexpiring license plate remain displayed on the token trailer until the trailer is sold or removed from service or the license plate is not legible. Requires TxDMV to provide for a person to register a token trailer under this subsection on the TxDMV's Internet website.
SECTION 2. Requires TxDMV to adopt rules for the administration of Section 502.255(i), Transportation Code, as amended by this Act, as soon as practicable after this Act takes effect. Authorizes TxDMV to adopt the rules in the manner provided by law for emergency rules.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.