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 legal action
regarding ownership of or a lien interest in the motor vehicle. The
hold shall continue until a final, nonappealable judgment is
entered in the action or the party requesting the hold requests that
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.