HBA-JEK C.S.H.B. 2418 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisC.S.H.B. 2418
By: Noriega
Transportation
4/2/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Current law allows an individual who purchases a new vehicle to purchase a
registration sticker for 12, 24, or 36 months.  Software complications have
delayed the implementation of this program, but the program will likely
begin operation this summer.  However, registration for 24 or 36 months
will only be available to owners of new passenger cars or light trucks. 

Texans with a 12-month registration sticker currently receive an annual
renewal notice for each vehicle they own.  The renewals are mailed or hand
delivered to the county tax office at a cost to the state.  C.S.H.B. 2418
authorizes an owner of a vehicle to pay registration fees for a designated
period of 12, 24, or 36 months, regardless of whether the vehicle is new. 

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. 2418 amends the Transportation Code to remove the provision that
authorizes an owner of a vehicle to pay registration fees for a designated
period of 12, 24, or 36 months only if the vehicle has not been previously
registered in any state and is of the current or preceding model year. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 2418 removes the provision in the original bill that prohibited
the Texas Department of Transportation from requiring payment of
registration fees for a period of more than 12 months.  The substitute
authorizes the owner of a vehicle other than  passenger car or light truck
to pay registration fees for a designated period of 12, 24, or 36 months
regardless of whether the vehicle has been previously registered in another
state or is not of the current or preceding model year.