By: Thompson of Brazoria, Shine, Ashby, H.B. No. 53
      et al.
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the exemption from registration fees of certain
  vehicles used by nonprofit disaster relief organizations.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Sections 502.454(a), (b), and (f),
  Transportation Code, are amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The owner of a commercial motor vehicle, trailer, or
  semitrailer may apply for registration under Section 502.451 and is
  exempt from the payment of the registration fee that would
  otherwise be required by this chapter if the vehicle is:
               (1)  owned [and used exclusively for emergencies] by a
  nonprofit disaster relief organization; and
               (2)  used by the organization exclusively for
  emergencies, training, equipment maintenance, transportation of
  disaster relief supplies, or other activities related to disaster
  relief.
         (b)  An application for registration under this section must
  include:
               (1)  a statement by the owner of the vehicle that the
  vehicle is used exclusively as described by Subsection (a) [for
  emergencies] and has not been used for any other purpose;
               (2)  a statement signed by an officer of the nonprofit
  disaster relief organization that the vehicle has [not] been used
  exclusively as described by Subsection (a) [for any purpose other
  than emergencies] and qualifies for registration under this
  section; and
               (3)  a reasonable description of the vehicle and the
  emergency equipment included in the vehicle.
         (f)  A vehicle registered under this section that is used
  [for any purpose] other than as described by Subsection (a) [an
  emergency] may not again be registered under this section.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.