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TexasHB 543689th Legislature Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Relating to an exception to the titling requirement for certain motor vehicles; creating a criminal offense; providing for a fee.

Sponsored By: Keith Bell, Sam Harless, Royce West (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Courts--GeneralCrimes--MiscellaneousEnvironment--RecyclingVehicles & Traffic--GeneralVehicles & Traffic--Vehicle RegistrationABANDONED & JUNKED VEHICLESCOUNTY TAX ASSESSOR-COLLECTORSRECORDS MANAGEMENTSECONDHAND METALMOTOR VEHICLES, TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.

Recyclers pay fees for lien notices

Beginning September 1, 2025, used-parts recyclers must pay $25 with each required county notice about a covered lien. The fee goes with the vehicle-purchase notice to the county assessor-collector. Total costs equal $25 times the number of required notices.

Criminal penalties for breaking vehicle title rules

Beginning September 1, 2025, knowingly breaking the vehicle title-exception rules is a criminal offense. Covered conduct includes failing to obtain required information, falsifying records or hold statements, and selling vehicles with disallowed liens. The offense starts as a Class C misdemeanor. It rises to Class B after one prior conviction and becomes a state jail felony after two or more. Collected penalties fund only motor-vehicle enforcement, investigations, prosecutions, and training. Courts may order restitution to owners, lienholders, or recyclers for damage caused by these offenses.

Recyclers can buy older vehicles without titles

Beginning September 1, 2025, used-parts recyclers can buy qualifying vehicles without obtaining their titles. Vehicles must be at least 13 years old and unregistered for at least seven years. Purchases must be solely for parts, dismantling, or scrap. Recyclers must collect and keep transaction records, including seller identification, vehicle details, purchase price, seller acknowledgments, and reporting proof. They must report required information to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles within 24 hours after receipt, excluding weekends and holidays. The department must report stolen-vehicle status to the recycler within 48 hours of receiving the information. Recyclers must notify local police when a vehicle is reported stolen and provide the seller's identifying information. They must check recorded liens within 48 hours of purchase and notify their county assessor-collector when required. The county notice must identify the lienholder and state the earliest date the recycler will dismantle or scrap the vehicle. Without a covered lien, recyclers must wait through the third business day after reporting before dismantling, crushing, or shredding. Vehicles with covered liens face a longer hold tied to owner and lienholder notice. Counties must notify lienholders and the last registered owner within five days; recipients have 14 days after notice to retrieve vehicles free. The department marks the vehicle record as dismantled, scrapped, or destroyed and cancels the title once requirements are met. Department reporting can replace separate recycler reporting to the national vehicle-title system; federally approved reporting services are also allowed. The framework overrides conflicting state requirements. Purchasers receive protection from theft liability when they lacked knowledge of theft or met the required reporting and information rules. Sellers who commit related offenses must pay restitution for resulting losses or damage, including attorney's fees.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Keith Bell

    House

  • Sam Harless

    House

  • Royce West

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 342 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/25/2025

Record vote

Yes: 31 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/25/2025

Record vote

Yes: 31 • No: 0

House vote • 5/14/2025

Record vote

Yes: 136 • No: 0

House vote • 5/13/2025

Record vote

Yes: 126 • No: 0

Senate vote • Unknown

Committee vote: Transportation

Yes: 8 • No: 0

House vote • Unknown

Committee vote: Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Yes: 10 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective on 9/1/25

    6/20/2025House

  2. Signed by the Governor

    6/20/2025House

  3. Sent to the Governor

    5/28/2025House

  4. Signed in the Senate

    5/27/2025Senate

  5. Signed in the House

    5/27/2025House

  6. Reported enrolled

    5/26/2025House

  7. Senate passage reported

    5/26/2025House

  8. Record vote

    5/25/2025Senate

  9. Passed

    5/25/2025Senate

  10. Read 3rd time

    5/25/2025Senate

  11. Record vote

    5/25/2025Senate

  12. Three day rule suspended

    5/25/2025Senate

  13. Vote recorded in Journal

    5/25/2025Senate

  14. Read 2nd time & passed to 3rd reading

    5/25/2025Senate

  15. Rules suspended-Regular order of business

    5/25/2025Senate

  16. Placed on intent calendar

    5/23/2025Senate

  17. Committee report printed and distributed

    5/21/2025Senate

  18. Recommended for local & uncontested calendar

    5/21/2025Senate

  19. Reported favorably w/o amendments

    5/21/2025Senate

  20. Vote taken in committee

    5/21/2025Senate

  21. Testimony taken in committee

    5/21/2025Senate

  22. Considered in public hearing

    5/21/2025Senate

  23. Scheduled for public hearing on . . .

    5/21/2025Senate

  24. Referred to Transportation

    5/16/2025Senate

  25. Read first time

    5/16/2025Senate

Bill Text

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