The bill amends the Parks and Wildlife Code to modernize the definitions and requirements for certificates of number and title for vessels and outboard motors. Key updates include the clarification of what constitutes a "vessel," explicitly excluding certain watercraft like seaplanes and stationary floating structures. New definitions such as "certificate of title," "electronic," and "security interest" are introduced to enhance the language and processes related to vessel ownership. The bill also reduces the timeframe for new owners to apply for a certificate of title from 45 days to 20 days after ownership transfer and allows for electronic versions of certificates, improving accessibility and efficiency.

Additionally, the bill revises the requirements for manufacturers' and importers' certificates of origin, ensuring they include specific details about the vessel and its construction. It establishes procedures for transferring ownership of hull-damaged vessels and outlines the department's responsibilities for maintaining records related to certificates of title. The bill clarifies the process for perfecting security interests in vessels, mandating that secured parties deliver termination statements upon request. It also introduces new requirements for transfer-by-law statements and protects the rights of purchasers and secured parties, ensuring that transactions entered into before the bill's effective date remain valid. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2028.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Parks and Wildlife Code 31.003, Parks and Wildlife Code 1.203, Parks and Wildlife Code 31.028, Parks and Wildlife Code 31.037, Parks and Wildlife Code 31.039, Parks and Wildlife Code 31.041, Parks and Wildlife Code 31.043, Parks and Wildlife Code 31.045, Parks and Wildlife Code 31.046, Parks and Wildlife Code 31.047, Parks and Wildlife Code 31.049, Parks and Wildlife Code 31.050, Parks and Wildlife Code 31.051, Parks and Wildlife Code 31.052, Parks and Wildlife Code 9.102, Parks and Wildlife Code 31.055 (Parks and Wildlife Code 1, Parks and Wildlife Code 9, Parks and Wildlife Code 31)
House Committee Report: Parks and Wildlife Code 31.003, Parks and Wildlife Code 1.203, Parks and Wildlife Code 31.028, Parks and Wildlife Code 31.037, Parks and Wildlife Code 31.039, Parks and Wildlife Code 31.041, Parks and Wildlife Code 31.043, Parks and Wildlife Code 31.045, Parks and Wildlife Code 31.046, Parks and Wildlife Code 31.047, Parks and Wildlife Code 31.049, Parks and Wildlife Code 31.050, Parks and Wildlife Code 31.051, Parks and Wildlife Code 31.052, Parks and Wildlife Code 9.102, Parks and Wildlife Code 31.055 (Parks and Wildlife Code 1, Parks and Wildlife Code 9, Parks and Wildlife Code 31)