HBA-MSH C.S.H.B. 1128 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisC.S.H.B. 1128 By: Rangel Transportation 4/12/2001 Committee Report (Substituted) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE One in five working Texans is employed in some form of agriculture. Agricultural commodities add about $14 billion to the state's economy, making agriculture the second largest industry in Texas. Many agricultural products and pieces of equipment are transported across the state using commercial vehicles. Current law allows individuals who transport seasonal products to and from commercial markets to purchase a monthly commercial vehicle registration. The fee for this registration is prorated for the number of months the registration is effective. However, owners of commercial motor vehicles used primarily for farm purposes are not authorized to purchase this monthly permit for a prorated fee. C.S.H.B. 1128 provides for a prorated monthly vehicle registration for a commercial motor vehicle used primarily for farm purposes to transport seasonal agricultural products. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS C.S.H.B. 1128 amends the Transportation Code to provide for a monthly registration period for a commercial motor vehicle used primarily for farm purposes to transport seasonal agricultural products. The bill provides that the monthly registration fee is computed at a rate of one-twelfth the annual registration fee multiplied by the number of months in the registration period. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001. COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE C.S.H.B. 1128 differs from the original by restoring current law that requires the Texas Department of Transportation to furnish a registration insignia that is valid for the duration of the registration period.