88R10755 BEE-D     By: Miles S.B. No. 1448       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the location for which a wholesale motor vehicle dealer   general distinguishing number may be issued.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 503.027, Transportation Code, is amended   by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows:          (c)  A rule adopted by the board relating to a dealer   location, including the classification of a location as an   established and permanent place of business, may not:                (1)  require that the dealer display an interior or   exterior sign at a location that is a residential location   described by Section 503.032(b)(2); or                (2)  prohibit a wholesale motor vehicle dealer from   being located in the same building as a retail dealer, except that a   rule may prohibit a wholesale motor vehicle dealer from being   located in the same office space as a retail dealer.          SECTION 2.  Sections 503.032(a) and (b), Transportation   Code, are amended to read as follows:          (a)  An applicant for a dealer general distinguishing number   or wholesale motor vehicle auction general distinguishing number   must demonstrate that the location for which the applicant requests   the number is an established and permanent place of business.     Except as provided by Subsection (b), a [A] location is considered   to be an established and permanent place of business if the   applicant:                (1)  owns the real property on which the business is   situated or has a written lease for the property that has a term of   not less than the term of the general distinguishing number;                (2)  maintains on the location:                      (A)  a permanent furnished office that is equipped   as required by the department for the sale of the vehicles of the   type specified in the application; and                      (B)  a conspicuous sign with letters at least six   inches high showing the name of the applicant's business; and                (3)  has sufficient space on the location to display at   least five vehicles of the type specified in the application.          (b)  A location for which a wholesale motor vehicle dealer is   applying [An applicant] for a general distinguishing number is   considered to be an established and permanent place of business if   the location:                (1)  satisfies the requirements of Subsection (a),   except that the location [as a wholesale motor vehicle dealer] is   not required to have [maintain] display space as described by [in   accordance with] Subsection (a)(3); or                (2)  is a residential location equipped with:                      (A)  Internet access; and                      (B)  a working telephone number listed in the   business name or assumed name under which the dealer conducts   business.          SECTION 3.  Section 503.032, Transportation Code, as amended   by this Act, applies only to an application for an initial or   renewal wholesale motor vehicle dealer general distinguishing   number submitted on or after the effective date of this Act.  An   application for an initial or renewal wholesale motor vehicle   dealer general distinguishing number submitted before the   effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the   date the application was submitted, and the former law is continued   in effect for that purpose.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.