87R11589 MP-F By: Seliger S.B. No. 1817 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to motor vehicle titles. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 501.051, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows: (d) The department shall place a hold on processing a title application for a motor vehicle if the department receives a request for a hold accompanied by evidence of a lawsuit regarding ownership of or a lien interest in the motor vehicle. The hold shall continue until the lawsuit is concluded or the party requesting the hold requests the hold be removed. SECTION 2. Section 501.052, Transportation Code, is amended by amending Subsection (e) and adding Subsection (f) to read as follows: (e) An applicant aggrieved by the determination under Subsection (d) may appeal only to the county or district court of the county of the applicant's residence. An applicant must file an appeal not later than the fifth day after receipt [the date] of the assessor-collector's determination. The judge shall try the appeal in the manner of other civil cases. All rights and immunities granted in the trial of a civil case are available to the interested parties. If the department's action is not sustained, the department shall promptly issue a title for the vehicle. (f) A person may not apply for a hearing under this section if the department's decision under Section 501.051 is related to a title for a salvage motor vehicle or a nonrepairable motor vehicle, as defined by Section 501.091. SECTION 3. Section 501.053, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Subsection (f) to read as follows: (f) A person may not obtain a title under this section for a salvage motor vehicle or a nonrepairable motor vehicle, as defined by Section 501.091. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.