H.B. No. 2690
 
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to the sale of a vehicle by an unlicensed seller; creating
  an offense.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter D, Chapter 503, Transportation Code,
  is amended by adding Section 503.096 to read as follows:
         Sec. 503.096.  TOWING OF VEHICLES. (a) If a person is
  engaged in business as a dealer in violation of Section 503.021, a
  peace officer may cause a vehicle that is being offered for sale by
  the person to be towed from the location where the vehicle is being
  offered for sale and stored at a vehicle storage facility, as
  defined by Section 2308.002, Occupations Code.
         (b)  A peace officer may cause the vehicle to be towed under
  Subsection (a) only if:
               (1)  the peace officer has a probable cause that the
  vehicle is being offered for sale by a person engaged in business as
  a dealer in violation of Section 503.021;
               (2)  the peace officer has complied with the notice
  requirements under Subsection (c); and
               (3)  the notice under Subsection (c) was attached to
  the vehicle not less than two hours before the vehicle is caused to
  be towed.
         (c)  Before a vehicle may be towed under Subsection (a), a
  peace officer, an appropriate local government employee, or an
  investigator employed by the department must attach a conspicuous
  notice to the vehicle's front windshield or, if the vehicle has no
  front windshield, to a conspicuous part of the vehicle stating:
               (1)  the make and model of the vehicle and the license
  plate number and vehicle identification number of the vehicle, if
  any;
               (2)  the date and time that the notice was affixed to
  the vehicle;
               (3)  that the vehicle is being offered for sale in
  violation of Section 503.021;
               (4)  that the vehicle and any property on or in the
  vehicle may be towed and stored at the expense of the owner of the
  vehicle not less than two hours after the notice is attached to the
  vehicle if the vehicle remains parked at the location; and
               (5)  the name, address, and telephone number of the
  vehicle storage facility where the vehicle will be towed.
         (d)  Once notice has been attached to a vehicle under
  Subsection (c), a peace officer may prevent the vehicle from being
  removed by a person unless the person provides evidence of
  ownership in the person's name or written authorization from the
  owner of the vehicle for the person to offer the vehicle for sale in
  a manner other than by consignment.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 2690 was passed by the House on May
  10, 2013, by the following vote:  Yeas 116, Nays 20, 2 present, not
  voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.
  No. 2690 on May 23, 2013, by the following vote:  Yeas 109, Nays 37,
  2 present, not voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 2690 was passed by the Senate, with
  amendments, on May 21, 2013, by the following vote:  Yeas 28, Nays
  2.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate   
  APPROVED: __________________
                  Date       
   
           __________________
                Governor