Bill: HB 561, 85(R) - 2017

Committee

House Transportation

2nd Chamber Committee

Senate Transportation

Vote Recommendation

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

Author(s)

Jim Murphy

Sponsor(s)

Lois Kolkhorst

Bill Caption

Relating to the registration and operation of golf carts and utility vehicles; authorizing a fee.

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

HB 561 would amend current Transportation Code by adding a new subchapter that would regulate package delivery vehicles. The vehicles regulated in this subchapter include: all-terrain vehicles, golf carts, motor carriers, neighborhood electric vehicles, recreational off-highway vehicles, and utility vehicles.

 

The bill would require package delivery vehicles be equipped with license plates designating the vehicles as package delivery vehicles. The bill would authorize the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to charge a license plate fee not to exceed $25 annually and deposited to the Department of Motor Vehicles fund.

 

Vehicles qualifying as package delivery vehicles may have limited public highway access that is not an interstate or controlled-access highway and has a speed limit not more than 35 miles per hour.

Vote Recommendation Notes

It is within the legitimate scope of government to designate classes of vehicles for use on public roads. While this does charge a license plate fee, all other classes of vehicles on public roads also have to have license plates. Providing a legal way for these types of vehicles to be used in residential areas for package delivery may provide some added flexibility for delivery service providers, however this bill is an administrative update to vehicle regulation and does not affect our liberty principles and we remain neutral.
Source URL (retrieved on 04/23/2024 01:04 PM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/85r/hb561?print_view=true