By: Dean, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Perry) H.B. No. 1693          (In the Senate - Received from the House May 8, 2017;   May 11, 2017, read first time and referred to Committee on   Transportation; May 17, 2017, reported favorably by the following   vote:  Yeas 9, Nays 0; May 17, 2017, sent to printer.)Click here to see the committee vote     A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT     relating to documentation for a motor vehicle title.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 152.062, Tax Code, is amended by adding   Subsection (d) to read as follows:          (d)  A seller of a motor vehicle is not required to complete a   joint statement described by this section if:                (1)  the seller does not hold a general distinguishing   number issued under Chapter 503, Transportation Code; and                (2)  the seller has complied with Section 501.028 or   501.072, Transportation Code, as applicable.          SECTION 2.  Section 501.028, Transportation Code, is amended   to read as follows:          Sec. 501.028.  SIGNATURES [OWNER'S SIGNATURE]. (a)  On   receipt of a certificate of title, the owner of a motor vehicle   shall write the owner's name in ink in the space provided on the   certificate.          (b)  Upon transfer of ownership, the seller shall complete   assignment of title by signing and printing the seller's name,   printing the date of transfer, and printing the purchaser's name   and address on the title.          SECTION 3.  Section 501.072, Transportation Code, is amended   to read as follows:          Sec. 501.072.  ODOMETER DISCLOSURE STATEMENT. (a) Except   as provided by Subsection (c), the transferor [seller] of a motor   vehicle transferred [sold] in this state shall provide to the   transferee [buyer, on a form prescribed by the department,] a   [written] disclosure of the vehicle's odometer reading at the time   of the transfer in compliance with 49 U.S.C. Section 32705 [sale.   The form must include space for the signature and printed name of   both the seller and buyer].          (b)  When application for a [certificate of] title is made,   the transferee [owner] shall record the [current] odometer reading   on the application. The [written] disclosure required by   Subsection (a) must accompany the application.          (c)  An odometer disclosure statement is not required for the   transfer [sale] of a motor vehicle that is exempt from odometer   disclosure requirements under 49 C.F.R. Part 580 [:                [(1)     has a manufacturer's rated carrying capacity of   more than two tons;                [(2)  is not self-propelled;                [(3)  is 10 or more years old;                [(4)     is sold directly by the manufacturer to an agency   of the United States government in conformity with contractual   specifications; or                [(5)  is a new motor vehicle].          (d)  The department shall provide for use consistent with 49   C.F.R. Part 580:                (1)  a secure power of attorney form; and                (2)  a secure reassignment form for licensed motor   vehicle dealers.          (e)  In this section, "transferee" and "transferor" have the   meanings assigned by 49 C.F.R. Section 580.3.          SECTION 4.  Section 501.174, Transportation Code, is amended   by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsections (d), (e), and (f)   to read as follows:          (b)  Except as otherwise provided by this section, if [If] a   law requires that a document be signed, the requirement is   satisfied by an electronic signature.          (d)  The department by rule shall establish a process to   accept electronic signatures on secure documents which have been   electronically signed through a system not controlled by the   department.          (e)  A system used for submitting electronic signatures to   the department must verify the identity of the person   electronically signing a document and submit the document through   the electronic titling system.          (f)  This section does not require the department to certify   an electronic signature process or an electronic signature vendor   before accepting a document that is executed with an electronic   signature.          SECTION 5.  Not later than January 1, 2019, the Texas   Department of Motor Vehicles shall adopt rules necessary to   implement Section 501.174(d), Transportation Code, as added by this   Act.          SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect January 1, 2018.     * * * * *