By: Seliger S.B. No. 1816     (Thompson of Brazoria)           A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to certain temporary vehicle permits and tags.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 502.094, Transportation Code, is amended   by adding Subsection (i) to read as follows:          (i)  A permit issued under this section must be carried in   the vehicle, or, if the vehicle is a trailer or semitrailer, in the   motor vehicle pulling the trailer or semitrailer, at all times   during the period in which the permit is valid, including when the   vehicle is being operated.          SECTION 2.  Section 502.095(f), Transportation Code, is   amended to read as follows:          (f)  A registration receipt shall be carried in the vehicle   at all times during the period in which it is valid.  The permit   [temporary tag] must contain all pertinent information required by   this section and must be attached to the vehicle in the license   plate display area located at the rear of the vehicle, so that the   entire permit is visible and legible at all times, including when   the vehicle is being operated. If the vehicle does not have a   license plate display area at the rear of the vehicle, the permit   [displayed in the rear window of the vehicle so that the tag is   clearly visible and legible when viewed from the rear of the   vehicle.  If the vehicle does not have a rear window, the temporary   tag] must be attached to [on or carried in] the vehicle to allow   ready inspection.  The registration receipt must be carried, in a   manner prescribed by the department, in the vehicle at all times   during the period in which it is valid.          SECTION 3.  Section 502.474, Transportation Code, is amended   to read as follows:          Sec. 502.474.  OPERATION OF ONE-TRIP PERMIT VEHICLE.  A   person commits an offense if the person operates a vehicle for which   a one-trip permit is required without the registration receipt and   properly displayed permit [temporary tag].          SECTION 4.  Section 503.0626(a), Transportation Code, is   amended to read as follows:          (a)  The department shall develop, manage, and maintain a   secure, real-time database of information on vehicles to which   dealers and converters have affixed temporary tags. [The database   shall be managed by the vehicle titles and registration division of   the department.]          SECTION 5.  Section 503.0631(a), Transportation Code, is   amended to read as follows:          (a)  The department shall develop, manage, and maintain a   secure, real-time database of information on persons to whom   temporary buyer's tags are issued that may be used by a law   enforcement agency in the same manner that the agency uses vehicle   registration information. [The database shall be managed by the   vehicle titles and registration division of the department.]          SECTION 6.  Subchapter C, Chapter 503, Transportation Code,   is amended by adding Section 503.0632 to read as follows:          Sec. 503.0632.  MAXIMUM NUMBER OF TEMPORARY TAGS. (a) The   department by rule may establish the maximum number of temporary   tags that a dealer or converter may obtain under Section 503.062,   503.0625, 503.0626, 503.063, or 503.0631.          (b)  The maximum number of temporary tags that the department   determines a dealer or converter may obtain under this section must   be based on the dealer's or converter's anticipated need for   temporary tags, taking into consideration:                (1)  the dealer's or converter's:                      (A)  time in operation;                      (B)  sales data; and                      (C)  expected growth;                (2)  expected changes in the dealer's or converter's   market; and                (3)  temporary conditions that may affect sales by the   dealer or converter.          (c)  At the request of a dealer or converter, the department   may authorize additional temporary tags of any type for the dealer   or converter if the dealer or converter demonstrates a need for   additional temporary tags resulting from business operations,   including anticipated need.          (d)  The department's denial of a request under Subsection   (c) may be overturned if a dealer or converter shows by a   preponderance of the evidence the need for additional temporary   tags.          SECTION 7.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.