H.B. No. 53
AN ACT
relating to the exemption from registration fees of certain
vehicles used by nonprofit disaster relief organizations.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Sections 502.454(a), (b), and (f),
Transportation Code, are amended to read as follows:
(a) The owner of a commercial motor vehicle, trailer, or
semitrailer may apply for registration under Section 502.451 and is
exempt from the payment of the registration fee that would
otherwise be required by this chapter if the vehicle is:
(1) owned [and used exclusively for emergencies] by a
nonprofit disaster relief organization; and
(2) used by the organization exclusively for
emergencies, training, equipment maintenance, transportation of
disaster relief supplies, or other activities related to disaster
relief.
(b) An application for registration under this section must
include:
(1) a statement by the owner of the vehicle that the
vehicle is used exclusively as described by Subsection (a) [for
emergencies] and has not been used for any other purpose;
(2) a statement signed by an officer of the nonprofit
disaster relief organization that the vehicle has [not] been used
exclusively as described by Subsection (a) [for any purpose other
than emergencies] and qualifies for registration under this
section; and
(3) a reasonable description of the vehicle and the
emergency equipment included in the vehicle.
(f) A vehicle registered under this section that is used
[for any purpose] other than as described by Subsection (a) [an
emergency] may not again be registered under this section.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 53 was passed by the House on April
14, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 144, Nays 0, 1 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 53 was passed by the Senate on May 23,
2023, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor