Pub. 61 2020-2021 Issue 4

10 TADA REVIEW OF THE 87TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION COVID RESPONSE REGISTRATION AND TITLING HB 3 (Burrows/Birdwell) Governor’s Executive Authority Legislation, as introduced, would have created the Texas Pandemic Response Act by establishing a separate framework to govern state and local responses to prevent, prepare for, respond to, and recover from a pandemic disaster. Given early issues during the pandemic, TADA supported HB 3. House and Senate Conferees were appointed, but a conference committee report was not adopted due to disagreements about the HB 3 approach or the SB 1025 approach. SB 1025 (Birdwell) Governor’s Executive Authority Legislation, as introduced, would have specified that during a declared state of disaster, only the legislature has the authority to restrict or impair the operation of businesses. Given early issues during the pandemic, TADA was monitoring this legislation closely. SB 1025 passed the Senate on April 13 and was referred to House State Affairs on April 16. While no further action was taken on SB 1025, the language was substituted into HB 3, which ultimately did not pass either. See above. SB 876/HB 3113 (Hancock, Bettencourt, West/E. Thompson) Titling and Registration Flexibility Legislation will provide flexibility and efficiency in titling and registering motor vehicles by allowing dealers and all Texans the option to title and register in any county willing to accept the application. The substitute made changes to ensure that the processing and handling fee stays with the processing county. The sales tax and county road and bridge fees go to the county where the purchaser resides, without forms previously used by dealers. The substitute also allowed this flexibility to be available for all Texans, not just dealer transactions. SB 876 was signed into law by Governor Abbott on June 14 and becomes effective March 1, 2022. HB 2152 (Meyer/Nichols) Online Vehicle Registration Renewals Legislation will allow an eligible person to renew their vehicle registration through an online registration system approved by TxDMV. A committee substitute changed the language from a system “approved” by the department to a system “maintained” by the department. HB 2152 was signed into law by Governor Abbott on June 3 and becomes effective Sept. 1. SB 1817 (Seliger/Martinez) Motor Vehicle Titles Legislation will require TxDMV to place a hold on processing a title application for a motor vehicle if the department receives evidence of legal action regarding ownership of or a lien on the vehicle. SB 1817 is a TxDMV bill. SB 1817 was signed into law by Governor Abbott on June 18 and becomes effective Sept. 1. SB 1064/HB 2262 (Alvarado/Schofield) County Fleet Registration/ Inspection Requirements Legislation will require the TxDMV to develop and implement a registration system to allow an owner of an exempt fleet to register the vehicles for an extended period of between one and eight years, but still requires inspections. TADA was neutral on this legislation. SB 1064 was signed into law by Governor Abbott on May 18 and becomes effective Sept. 1. SB 935/HB 2940 (West/Kuempel) Titling Requirement Exceptions Legislation, as introduced, would have created an exception to the titling requirement for certain older motor vehicles sold for parts, dismantling or scrap. TIADA was opposed to this legislation, but TADA remained neutral. SB 935 was sent to House Calendars on May 23, but no further action was taken. HB 2933 (M. Martinez) Road and Bridge Fee Uniformity Legislation, as introduced, would have created a uniform county road and bridge fee amount for dealer transactions. TADA supported this legislation in the House Transportation Committee. HB 2933 passed House Transportation on May 4 and was sent to House Calendars on May 8, but no further action was taken.  LEGISLATIVE SESSION — CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9