HBA-MPM, MPA H.B. 1041 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1041 By: Rangel Transportation 8/12/1999 Enrolled BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Much of the agricultural product grown in Texas is transported from one region to another by trucktractors. A percentage of this transport of seasonal products to and from commercial markets involves the use of vehicles on a limited basis, or for only part of a year. Prior to the 76th Legislature, state law mandated that these truck-tractors be registered annually through the Texas Department of Transportation, but there were 72-hour and 144-hour vehicle registration permits available to address the seasonal transport situation. Many seasonal harvesters needed to repeatedly purchase these "short-term" registrations in order to deliver their commodities, which cost nearly as much as annual registration. H.B. 1041 provides harvesters who transport seasonal agricultural products the opportunity to purchase a partial-year or seasonal registration for their truck-tractor. 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. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter D, Chapter 502, Transportation Code, by adding Section 502.1585, as follows: Sec. 502.1585. REGISTRATION PERIOD FOR TRUCK-TRACTOR OR COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLE TRANSPORTING SEASONAL AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS. (a) Requires the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to provide for monthly registration for a truck-tractor or commercial motor vehicle that is used exclusively to transport a seasonal agricultural product, and would otherwise be registered for a vehicle registration year. (b) Requires TxDOT to adopt forms for registration, and an applicant to indicate the number of months registration is being applied for. (c) Requires TxDOT to design, prescribe, and furnish a registration receipt and insignia valid until the expiration of the designated registration period. (d) Provides that the registration fee be computed at one-twelfth the rate applicable under Section 502.162 (Fee: Commercial Motor Vehicle or Truck-Tractor) or 502.167 (Truck-Tractor or Commercial Motor Vehicle Combination Fee; Semitrailer Token Fee) to be multiplied by the number of months specified in the application. (e) Provides that a person issued monthly registration commits an offense if the person uses the vehicle during the period of registration for a purpose other than the transport of a seasonal agricultural product. (f) Prohibits a truck-tractor or commercial motor vehicle from being registered under this section for a period of less than one month or more than six months. (g) Defines "to transport a seasonal agricultural product" for the purposes of this section as any transportation necessary for the production, harvest, or delivery of an agricultural product that is produced seasonally. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.