Texas Senate Bill SB2022

Texas 2025 - 89th Regular

• Filed: 3/6/25

Caption

Relating to the denial of the registration of a motor vehicle based on certain information provided by a county to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles; authorizing a fee.

Impact

The implementation of SB2022 could significantly change the landscape of motor vehicle registration in affected counties by allowing the denial of registration based on financial obligations to the county. This might incentivize timely payments of fines and fees, thereby potentially increasing local revenue. The bill also mandates the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to implement an online system to facilitate these checks and the information sharing necessary for enforcement, set to be operational by September 1, 2026. The enforcement of such a law could lead to increased collections of overdue fines and taxes, helping to alleviate funding gaps for local governments.

Summary

Senate Bill 2022 addresses the registration of motor vehicles in specific counties of Texas. It introduces provisions that allow a county assessor-collector to deny the registration of a motor vehicle if the owner owes past due fines, fees, or taxes to the county, or if the owner has failed to appear in court for related legal matters. This bill specifically targets counties that border the United Mexican States and contain populous municipalities, effectively applying stricter enforcement measures in these areas. The bill aims to increase compliance with local laws and ensure that those who owe debts are held accountable before being allowed to register their vehicles.

Contention

There may be notable points of contention surrounding this bill. Critics may argue that it disproportionately affects low-income vehicle owners who may struggle to pay fines or face economic hardship. The bill does contain provisions to exempt those who earn less than 250% of the federal poverty guidelines from the denial of vehicle registration, but concerns about the efficacy and fairness of such measures remain. Additionally, there could be discussions over the bureaucratic burden placed on local assessors and the implications for law enforcement and public relations within communities negatively affected by strict registration policies.

Texas Constitutional Statutes Affected

Transportation Code

• Chapter 502. Registration Of Vehicles
  • Section: 010
  • Section: New Section