House backs electronic vehicle titles, adds manufactured-housing and other technical fixes

The House passed Senate Bill 110 on March 26, approving a broad update to title and lien procedures that includes electronic motor-vehicle titles and other technical and policy provisions.

The gentleman from Magoffin explained that the bill allows vehicle buyers to receive electronic titles rather than paper copies, while retaining the option of a printed title. He said manufactured housing (mobile homes) was added in the committee substitute to be eligible for electronic liens/titles and that the bill addresses a range of technical issues including ad valorem tax impacts for sheriffs and transfer-on-death language.

A floor amendment provided relief for sheriffs to preserve ad valorem tax collections on manufactured homes and incorporated provisions from House Bill 658 relating to agricultural CDL limits. A sponsor response to a question on costs said electronic titling involves a small fee — "less than $20" — and that the changes are not retroactive.

Members debated beneficiary-transfer language and ad valorem questions; one member said she would vote no because of increased fees, while the overall recorded vote was 77 ayes and nine nays.

What happens next: The bill will be enrolled and advanced for signature as part of the usual enrollment and signature process.

Provenance: Explanation and floor amendment discussion begin at SEG 867–SEG 918; the recorded vote appears at SEG 1084–SEG 1087.