Bill: HB 2202, 83(R) - 2013

Vote Recommendation

Vote Recommendation Economic Freedom Property Rights Personal Responsibility Limited Government Individual Liberty
Yes Neutral Neutral Neutral Positive Neutral

Author(s)

Joe Pickett

Bill Caption

Relating to the disposition of fees collected by or on behalf of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.

Fiscal Notes

The bill would amend the Transportation Code to create a new Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Fund (TxDMV Fund) in the State Treasury outside the General Revenue Fund. The fund would consist of money appropriated by the Legislature to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV); gifts, grants, and donations received by the DMV; money required to by law to be deposited to the fund; and interest earned on money in the fund. Money in the TxDMV Fund could be used only to support the operations of the DMVand accounting costs and related liabilities for the fund, including employee benefits. The bill would amend various provisions of the Transportation Code to direct certain fees or portions of fees currently deposited to the State Highway Fund (Fund 6) to the new TxDMV Fund, including fees related to the titling and registration of vehicles, issuance of license plates, registration and regulation of commercial vehicles, and the issuance of disabled parking placards. The bill would amend the Transportation Code to authorize the DMV to collect a fee set by board rule in addition to registration fees for the issuance of license plates or registration insignia to cover the expenses of collecting the registration fees. The bill would allow the county tax assessor-collector or the assessor-collector's contractor to retain a portion of the fee as provided by board rule, and the remainder would be deposited to the TxDMV Fund. The bill would amend Occupations Code, Chapter 2301, relating to the regulation of the sale or lease of motor vehicles, to require all fees collected by the board of the DMV under that chapter to be deposited to the TxDMV Fund instead of Fund 6. The bill specifies that on September 1, 2013, $59 million of existing revenue from fees collected or received by the DMV under Section 502.356 and former Section 502.1705 of the Transportation Code from November 1, 2009 to August 31, 2013 shall be transferred to and deposited in the new TxDMV Fund.

Bill Analysis

Summary of Legislation:   This legislation creates a fund in the State Treasury outside of the GR.  In addition to Appropriations: fees, gifts and grants will supplement this fund.  Language regarding the TxDMV fund stipulates that funds can only be used for specified operations of TxDMV.  Money typically collected by vehicle sales and leases for the State Highway fund (fund 6) will be deposited into this new account.  The duties and fee collection operations of fund 6 will be transferred to TxDMV. This bill cleans language regarding the TxDMV and its powers and duties following acts of the 81st and 82nd legislature.

Analysis: This bill promotes transparency in government and ensures that collected fees and appropriated funds are used for the expressed intent. This bill clarifies language written by previous Legislatures (81st & 82nd) to guarantee proper cash flow and oversight over funds. This bill does not create any new fees but does streamline their collection. Support HB 2202. 

FY           Gain/(Loss) SHF                 Savings from SHF           Gain/(loss) TxDMV

2014       ($102,411,000)                  ($59,000,000)                      $161,411,000

2015       ($103,595,000)                  $0                                       $103,595,000

2016       ($104,657,000)                  $0                                       $104,657,000

2017       ($105,595,000)                  $0                                       $105,595,000

2018       ($106,518,000)                  $0                                       $106,518,000


Source URL (retrieved on 03/28/2024 07:03 PM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/83r/hb2202?print_view=true