The bill, S.B. No. 2705, proposes amendments to the Transportation Code regarding fees for specialty license plates and vehicle registration exemptions for certain agricultural vehicles. It introduces a new section, 502.147, which exempts owners from registering farm trailers or semitrailers with a gross weight of 4,000 pounds or less, as well as farm tractors and implements of husbandry, provided they are only operated temporarily on highways. Additionally, the bill modifies existing sections to clarify that there will be no fee for the issuance of specialty license plates for volunteer firefighters and fire protection personnel, as well as for certain other license plates.

The bill also updates the list of exemptions from registration fees for specialty license plates, adding Sections 504.316 and 504.319 to the existing exemptions. The changes aim to reduce the financial burden on owners of specific agricultural vehicles and enhance support for volunteer firefighters by eliminating fees associated with their specialty license plates. The provisions of this act are set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Transportation Code 504.3015, Transportation Code 504.512, Transportation Code 504.513, Transportation Code 504.516 (Transportation Code 504)