84R616 JRR-D
 
  By: Rodríguez S.B. No. 658
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the exemption from vehicle registration for certain
  farm vehicles owned by a farmers' cooperative society or marketing
  association.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 502.146, Transportation Code, is amended
  by adding Subsection (c-1) and amending Subsections (e) and (h) to
  read as follows:
         (c-1)  An exemption provided by this section applies to a
  vehicle owned by a farmers' cooperative society incorporated under
  Chapter 51, Agriculture Code, or a marketing association organized
  under Chapter 52, Agriculture Code, and used by members of the
  society or association for a fee if the vehicle otherwise meets the
  requirements for the exemption.
         (e)  Except as provided by Subsection (c-1), this [This]
  section does not apply to a farm trailer or farm semitrailer that:
               (1)  is used for hire;
               (2)  has metal tires operating in contact with the
  highway;
               (3)  is not equipped with an adequate hitch pinned or
  locked so that it will remain securely engaged to the towing vehicle
  while in motion; or
               (4)  is not operated and equipped in compliance with
  all other law.
         (h)  A specialty license plate may not be issued under
  Subsection (a) to an owner of a vehicle described by Subsection
  (b)(1) unless the vehicle's owner provides a registration number
  issued by the comptroller under Section 151.1551, Tax Code, or the
  vehicle is owned by a farmers' cooperative society incorporated
  under Chapter 51, Agriculture Code, or a marketing association
  organized under Chapter 52, Agriculture Code.  The comptroller
  shall allow access to the online system established under Section
  151.1551(l), Tax Code, to verify a registration number provided
  under this subsection.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2015.