Bill Text: TX HB321 | 2017-2018 | 85th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating to the development of a statewide motor vehicle registration program to prevent transnational motor vehicle theft; authorizing fees.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-02-15 - Referred to Homeland Security & Public Safety [HB321 Detail]
Download: Texas-2017-HB321-Introduced.html
85R1910 MEW-F | ||
By: Canales | H.B. No. 321 |
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relating to the development of a statewide motor vehicle | ||
registration program to prevent transnational motor vehicle theft; | ||
authorizing fees. | ||
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 411, Government Code, is | ||
amended by adding Section 411.0094 to read as follows: | ||
Sec. 411.0094. MOTOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION PROGRAM: | ||
TRANSNATIONAL THEFT. (a) In this section, "owner" means the owner | ||
of a motor vehicle as shown on the vehicle registration records of | ||
the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles or the analogous department | ||
or agency of another state or country. | ||
(b) The department shall develop a statewide motor vehicle | ||
registration program to help prevent the transnational theft of | ||
motor vehicles. The department may not implement the program | ||
unless the legislature subsequently provides by general law for the | ||
implementation of the program. | ||
(c) Under the program, an owner of a motor vehicle may | ||
register the motor vehicle with the department to authorize a peace | ||
officer to stop the registered vehicle before the vehicle crosses | ||
the international border of this state. | ||
(d) The department shall develop a form to register a motor | ||
vehicle under the program. The form must advise the owner of the | ||
motor vehicle regarding the provisions of Subsection (g). A motor | ||
vehicle may not be registered under the program unless the owner | ||
consents to the provisions of Subsection (g). | ||
(e) The program must provide a method for an owner to | ||
withdraw a motor vehicle from the program. The program may not | ||
require an owner of a motor vehicle to participate in the program. | ||
(f) After implementation of the program, the department | ||
shall maintain a database of all motor vehicles registered under | ||
the program. | ||
(g) A peace officer who observes a motor vehicle that is | ||
registered under the program and is crossing the international | ||
border of this state may stop the motor vehicle to determine whether | ||
the motor vehicle is being operated by the owner or with the owner's | ||
permission. | ||
(h) The department shall propose rules to administer the | ||
program and may propose a registration fee in an amount sufficient | ||
to recover the cost of administering the program. | ||
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives | ||
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as | ||
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this | ||
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this | ||
Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |