Pub. 61 2020-2021 Issue 4

13 SUMMER 2021 SB 206/HB 1281 (Schwertner/Wilson) Operation of Certain Vehicles Legislation will allow the operation of neighborhood golf carts in residential subdivisions for which a county or municipality has approved one or more plats as well as on all or part of certain highways located in the unincorporated area of the county to coastal counties. TADA monitored this legislation but remained neutral. HB 1281 was signed into law by Governor Abbott on June 15 and becomes effective immediately. HB 1281 also includes the language described below in HB 1181. HB 1181/SB 1383 (Middleton/Creighton) Operation of Certain Vehicles Legislation, as introduced, would have extended the authority that allows the operation of a golf cart or an unregistered off- highway vehicle on all or part of certain highways located in the unincorporated area of the county to coastal counties. TADA monitored this legislation but remained neutral. SB 1383 never received a hearing in Senate Transportation, and HB 1181 was removed from the last local calendar in the Senate. However, the language was successfully added to HB 1281. TxDMV HB 3514 (Canales/Seliger) TxDMV Functions HB 3514 will clarify and update references, procedures and practices of the TxDMV. HB 3514 is a TxDMV bill. HB 3514 was signed into law by Governor Abbott on June 4 and becomes effective Sept. 1. HB 3531 (Martinez/Seliger) Motor Vehicle Titles, Registration and License Plates Legislation, as introduced, would have required TxDMV to place a hold on processing a title application for a motor vehicle if the department receives evidence of a legal action regarding ownership of or a lien on the vehicle, and allowed Disabled Veteran license plates to include one emblem or design from another military specialty license plate. HB 3531 is a TxDMV bill. HB 3531 passed the House on May 14, but the Senate added the alternatively fueled electric vehicle fee language on the bill, which wasn’t germane and killed the bill. HB 3533 (Martinez/Seliger) Surety Bond Legislation will increase the independent dealer bond to $50,000 and requires a notice requirement to post bond information and procedure to recover against the bond and publish on the agency’s website. HB 3533 is a TxDMV bill. TADA monitored to ensure franchised dealers remained exempt under the bill. HB 3533 was signed into law by Governor Abbott on June 14 and becomes effective Sept. 1.  LEGISLATIVE SESSION — CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 VEHICLE INSPECTIONS SB 1713 (Hall) Elimination of Safety Inspections Legislation, as introduced, would have repealed the regular mandatory requirement for state vehicle inspections. As in previous sessions, TADA was closely monitoring this legislation. SB 1713 never received a hearing in Senate Committee. SB 1543/HB 3429 (Huffman/Harris) Vroom Legislation, as introduced, would have allowed out-of-state buyers of a vehicle that will not be operated on Texas roads to be issued a temporary buyer’s tag without having to get a state inspection. TADA remained neutral on this legislation. HB 3429 passed the House on April 20 and was referred in the Senate on May 4, but neither HB 3429 nor SB 1543 received a hearing in Senate Transportation. However, the language was added as an amendment to HB 3927, which becomes effective Sept. 1.