BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center C.S.S.B. 1816 89R20956 AJZ-D By: Hancock Transportation 3/26/2025 Committee Report (Substituted) AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Miniature vehicles include mini cars, trucks, vans, and buses that have been defined by their design to propel itself with four or more tires, comply with applicable federal law, and not be an off-highway vehicle. In April 2024, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) reversed their ban on the registration and operation of Kei miniature vehicles on public roads. S.B. 1816 seeks to provide clarity about the registration and highway operation of Kei vehicles in Texas. (Original Author's/Sponsor's Statement of Intent) C.S.S.B. 1816 amends current law relating to the titling, registration, and operation of a miniature vehicle. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 501, Transportation Code, by adding Section 501.009, as follows: Sec. 501.009. TITLE FOR MINIATURE VEHICLE. (a) Defines "miniature vehicle." (b) Provides that, for purposes of issuing a title under Chapter 501 (Certificate of Title Act), a miniature vehicle is considered to be a motor vehicle. SECTION 2. Amends Section 502.001, Transportation Code, by adding Subdivision (21-a) to define "miniature vehicle." SECTION 3. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 502, Transportation Code, by adding Section 502.006, as follows: Sec. 502.006. REGISTRATION OF MINIATURE VEHICLE. Provides that, for purposes of registering a vehicle under Chapter 502 (Registration of Vehicles), a miniature vehicle is considered to be a motor vehicle. SECTION 4. Amends Subchapter I, Chapter 545, Transportation Code, by adding Section 545.429, as follows: Sec. 545.429. OPERATION OF MINIATURE VEHICLE. (a) Defines "miniature vehicle." (b) Provides that a person is authorized to operate a miniature vehicle on a public highway only if the vehicle has been registered and titled in accordance with the laws of this state and the vehicle is capable of operating in compliance with applicable traffic laws in this title. SECTION 5. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center C.S.S.B. 1816
89R20956 AJZ-D By: Hancock
Transportation
3/26/2025
Committee Report (Substituted)
Senate Research Center
C.S.S.B. 1816
89R20956 AJZ-D
By: Hancock
Transportation
3/26/2025
Committee Report (Substituted)
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Miniature vehicles include mini cars, trucks, vans, and buses that have been defined by their design to propel itself with four or more tires, comply with applicable federal law, and not be an off-highway vehicle. In April 2024, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) reversed their ban on the registration and operation of Kei miniature vehicles on public roads. S.B. 1816 seeks to provide clarity about the registration and highway operation of Kei vehicles in Texas.
(Original Author's/Sponsor's Statement of Intent)
C.S.S.B. 1816 amends current law relating to the titling, registration, and operation of a miniature vehicle.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 501, Transportation Code, by adding Section 501.009, as follows:
Sec. 501.009. TITLE FOR MINIATURE VEHICLE. (a) Defines "miniature vehicle."
(b) Provides that, for purposes of issuing a title under Chapter 501 (Certificate of Title Act), a miniature vehicle is considered to be a motor vehicle.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 502.001, Transportation Code, by adding Subdivision (21-a) to define "miniature vehicle."
SECTION 3. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 502, Transportation Code, by adding Section 502.006, as follows:
Sec. 502.006. REGISTRATION OF MINIATURE VEHICLE. Provides that, for purposes of registering a vehicle under Chapter 502 (Registration of Vehicles), a miniature vehicle is considered to be a motor vehicle.
SECTION 4. Amends Subchapter I, Chapter 545, Transportation Code, by adding Section 545.429, as follows:
Sec. 545.429. OPERATION OF MINIATURE VEHICLE. (a) Defines "miniature vehicle."
(b) Provides that a person is authorized to operate a miniature vehicle on a public highway only if the vehicle has been registered and titled in accordance with the laws of this state and the vehicle is capable of operating in compliance with applicable traffic laws in this title.
SECTION 5. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.