SB 1267 Texas Senate · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to certificates of number and certificates of title issued by and records kept by the Parks and Wildlife Department; creating a criminal offense.

SB 1267 amends Texas Parks and Wildlife Code to clarify vessel registration requirements by adding definitions for terms like "certificate of title," "hull identification number," and "owner of record." It updates exemptions for vessel numbering, specifying that vessels do not need a number if covered by federal or out-of-state numbering, temporarily operating under foreign rules, owned by government entities, used as lifeboats, or classified as amphibious vehicles with a Transportation Code certificate. These changes standardize record-keeping for the Parks and Wildlife Department and affect vessel owners who must comply with updated registration rules. The bill focuses on regulatory clarity without specifying a criminal offense in the provided text.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Feb 13, 2025 Signed May 27, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Engrossed Enrolled · 7 edits · May 27, 2025
MODERATE
This bill updates the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code to modernize vessel registration, title, and ownership records. It expands definitions to include new terms like 'barge' and 'foreign-documented vessel,' clarifies when vessels are exempt from numbering, and establishes a preference for electronic certificates of title while maintaining written options. The changes streamline administrative processes for dealers and owners while improving accessibility and record-keeping standards.
Scope change
The bill expands the scope of vessel-related regulations to include new definitions and electronic record-keeping requirements, while maintaining existing exemptions for certain vessels such as lifeboats and government-owned watercraft.
DEFINITION

Added new definitions for 'barge', 'builder's certificate', 'buyer', 'certificate of origin', 'documented vessel', 'foreign-documented vessel', 'hull damaged', 'lease', 'lien creditor', 'notice', 'secured party', 'secured party of record', 'title brand', 'transfer of ownership', 'written certificate of title', and 'electronic certificate of title' to clarify regulatory terms.

Added new definitions for 'hull damaged' to specify conditions like collision, allision, lightning strike, fire, explosion, running aground, or sinking that compromise hull integrity.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the deadline for submitting vessel title applications from 45 days to 20 days after purchase or transfer of ownership, accelerating the registration process.

Established that the department shall issue electronic certificates of title unless the owner or secured party specifically requests a written certificate, prioritizing digital records.

Updated application requirements to include statements about whether a vessel is documented, foreign-documented, or hull damaged when applicable.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified exemptions for vessels requiring certificates of title to include watercraft owned by foreign governments and political subdivisions of the United States.

TECHNICAL

Replaced the term 'Vessel livery' with updated language and removed references to criminal offenses, focusing on administrative and regulatory provisions.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 9, 2025 · House May 6, 2025

How they voted

254
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 30
Apr 9, 2025
D Democratic10
10 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican20
15 Yea 4 Nay 1
75% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
49
Key actions
15
Committee
9
Amendments
6
May 27, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by the Governor
executive
May 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed in the House
lower
May 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed in the Senate
upper
May 12, 2025
Introduced
Senate concurs in House amendment(s)-reported
lower
May 12, 2025
Introduced
Senate concurs in House amendment(s)
upper
May 12, 2025
Introduced
House amendment(s) laid before the Senate
upper
May 6, 2025
Upper · Passed
House passage as amended reported
upper
May 6, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
May 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed to 3rd reading as amended
lower
May 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Amended
lower
Apr 30, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
Apr 29, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
Apr 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Committee
Referred to Culture, Recreation & Tourism
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
Apr 10, 2025
Introduced
Received from the Senate
lower
Apr 9, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed
upper
Mar 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Committee report printed and distributed
upper
Mar 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported favorably w/o amendments
upper
Mar 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Vote taken in committee
upper
Mar 31, 2025
Upper · Passed
Testimony taken in committee
upper
Feb 28, 2025
Committee
Referred to Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs
upper
Feb 28, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors