43 TAC §95.1
The Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector's Office adopts
new §95.1, concerning the regulation of motor vehicle title services,
without changes to the proposed text as published in the November 5, 1999,
issue of the
Texas Register
(24 TexReg 9821).
The new rule will regulate motor vehicle title services. Prior to the 76th
Legislature, motor vehicle title services were unregulated, unlicensed, and
were not required to maintain records. Such third-party title services have
been linked to vehicle insurance fraud and car theft.
The implementation of this new rule will allow the Harris County Tax Office
to regulate and license vehicle title service companies according to HB3521.
This rule serves to minimize criminal activity in the vehicle title service
industry.
Three comments were received regarding the adoption of this new rule.
Vehicle title service owners were concerned about having their Texas driver's
license number posted on the Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector website.
An alternate control number has been assigned.
Another commenter suggested in writing we amend § 95.1 to restate
the exemptions set forth in section 520.063 of HB3521. Upon review, we felt
it was not necessary to restate the law in the rules.
The last commenter suggested minor language changes to the proposed text
which does not change any intent of this section. These changes will be considered
for future amendments to this section.
The new rule is adopted under HB3521 which provides the Tax Assessor-Collector's
Office with authority to adopt rules.
This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed
by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of
the Secretary of State on May 2, 2000.
TRD-200003087
Jack Burton
Chief of Staff
Harris County Tax Assessor-Collector
Effective date: May 22, 2000
Proposal publication date: November 5, 1999
For further information, please call: (713) 755-5288