84R24138 MEW-D
By: Canales H.B. No. 3704
Substitute the following for H.B. No. 3704:
By: Phillips C.S.H.B. No. 3704
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the development of a statewide motor vehicle
registration program to prevent transnational motor vehicle theft,
including authorizing proposed fees to support the program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 411, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 411.0094 to read as follows:
Sec. 411.0094. MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION PROGRAM. (a)
The department shall develop a statewide motor vehicle registration
program to help prevent transnational motor vehicle theft. The
department may not implement the program unless the legislature
subsequently provides by general law for the implementation of the
program.
(b) Under the program, an owner of a motor vehicle may
register the motor vehicle with the department to authorize a peace
officer to stop the registered vehicle before the vehicle crosses
the international border of this state.
(c) The department shall develop a form to register a motor
vehicle under the program. The form must advise the owner of the
motor vehicle regarding the provisions of Subsection (f). A motor
vehicle may not be registered under the program unless the owner
consents to the provisions of Subsection (f).
(d) The program must provide a method for an owner to
withdraw a motor vehicle from the program. The program may not
require an owner of a motor vehicle to participate in the program.
(e) After implementation of the program, the department
shall maintain a database of all motor vehicles registered under
the program.
(f) A peace officer who observes a motor vehicle that is
registered under the program and is crossing the international
border of this state may stop the motor vehicle to determine whether
the motor vehicle is being operated by the owner or with the owner's
permission.
(g) The department shall propose rules to administer the
program and may propose a registration fee in an amount sufficient
to recover the cost of administering the program.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2015.