The bill, S.B. No. 1365, amends various sections of the Government Code and Transportation Code related to vehicle registration, license plates, and inspection reports in Texas. Key changes include the addition of provisions that allow the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to refuse, cancel, suspend, or revoke motor vehicle registrations if the vehicle is deemed unsafe or improperly equipped, while also requiring the department to notify the vehicle owner and provide an opportunity to respond before taking such actions. Additionally, the bill establishes a new 24-month vehicle registration period for certain passenger cars and light trucks, and modifies fees associated with dealer license plates and temporary license plates.

Furthermore, the bill introduces stricter measures against dealers who fraudulently obtain or use license plates and vehicle inspection reports, allowing the department to deny access to the database of dealer-issued license plates after notifying the dealer. The bill also revises the fee structure for electric vehicle registrations, eliminating previous fee amounts and establishing a new fee for each 12-month registration period. The changes are set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Transportation Code 502.044, Transportation Code 502.048, Transportation Code 502.360 (Transportation Code 502)