H.B. No. 75 AN ACT relating to the exemption from vehicle registration for certain farm vehicles owned by a farmers' cooperative society or marketing association. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 502.146, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Subsection (c-1) and amending Subsections (e) and (h) to read as follows: (c-1) An exemption provided by this section applies to a vehicle owned by a farmers' cooperative society incorporated under Chapter 51, Agriculture Code, or a marketing association organized under Chapter 52, Agriculture Code, and used by members of the society or association for a fee if the vehicle otherwise meets the requirements for the exemption. (e) Except as provided by Subsection (c-1), this [This] section does not apply to a farm trailer or farm semitrailer that: (1) is used for hire; (2) has metal tires operating in contact with the highway; (3) is not equipped with an adequate hitch pinned or locked so that it will remain securely engaged to the towing vehicle while in motion; or (4) is not operated and equipped in compliance with all other law. (h) A specialty license plate may not be issued under Subsection (a) to an owner of a vehicle described by Subsection (b)(1) unless the vehicle's owner provides a registration number issued by the comptroller under Section 151.1551, Tax Code, or the vehicle is owned by a farmers' cooperative society incorporated under Chapter 51, Agriculture Code, or a marketing association organized under Chapter 52, Agriculture Code. The comptroller shall allow access to the online system established under Section 151.1551(l), Tax Code, to verify a registration number provided under this subsection. 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. ______________________________ ______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.B. No. 75 was passed by the House on April 9, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 142, Nays 1, 2 present, not voting. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.B. No. 75 was passed by the Senate on May 14, 2015, by the following vote: Yeas 29, Nays 2. ______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________ Date _____________________ Governor