West RGV News

Rep. Terry Canales introduced HB 4924, a bill on Vehicles & Traffic, to the Texas House on Thursday, April 3 during the 89(R) legislative session, according to the Texas Legislature website.

More specifically, the official text was summarized by the state legislature as ’’Relating to certain electronic documentation for the transfer of a motor vehicle title’’.

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

This bill amends Section 501.174 of the Texas Transportation Code to streamline the electronic transfer process for motor vehicle titles. It stipulates that the department cannot require an electronic signature to be physically affixed or demand evidence of invalidation of a superseded title when a document is executed and transmitted electronically in compliance with the section's requirements. The bill aims to simplify electronic documentation procedures, making it easier to transfer vehicle titles. It will take effect immediately upon securing a two-thirds majority vote in both legislative houses; otherwise, it will become effective on Sept. 1, 2025.

Terry Canales, chair of the House Committee on S/C on Transportation Funding and member of the House Committee on Transportation, proposed another 17 bills during the 89(R) legislative session.

Canales graduated from the University of the Incarnate Word and again from St. Mary's University School of Law with a JD.

Terry Canales is currently serving in the Texas State House, representing the state's 40th House district. He replaced previous state representative Aaron Peña in 2013.

Bills in Texas go through a multi-step legislative process, including committee review, debates, and votes in both chambers before reaching a final decision. Each session, there are typically thousands of bills introduced, but only a portion successfully navigate the process to become law.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Bill Number	Date Introduced	Short Description
HB 4987	04/03/2025	Relating to an alternative dispute resolution procedure regarding certain matters under the public information law
HB 4966	04/03/2025	Relating to the denial of access to the database of dealer-issued license plates maintained by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles
HB 4917	04/03/2025	Relating to seller's disclosures regarding flooding and other water-related issues with respect to residential real property
HB 4460	04/03/2025	Relating to the projects eligible for financial assistance from the flood infrastructure fund
HB 3861	03/27/2025	Relating to driving safety or motorcycle operator training course dismissal
HB 3855	03/27/2025	Relating to an exemption from sales and use taxes for certain diabetic supplies
HB 1683	03/27/2025	Relating to systems of county road administration in certain counties
HB 3850	03/26/2025	Relating to comments by members of the public at an open meeting of a governmental body on items not on the agenda for that meeting
HB 3849	03/26/2025	Relating to the program categories in the unified transportation program
HB 3837	03/26/2025	Relating to the regulation of autonomous vehicles; creating a criminal offense
HB 1697	03/12/2025	Relating to the management, operation, and contract authority of open-enrollment charter schools
HB 1694	03/12/2025	Relating to the eligibility of school bus drivers and cafeteria workers for unemployment compensation benefits
HB 1693	03/12/2025	Relating to the financial audit of certain open-enrollment charter schools by the state auditor
HB 1678	03/12/2025	Relating to the collection and disclosure of certain public information
HB 1667	03/12/2025	Relating to the eligibility of certain first responders for workers' compensation benefits for post-traumatic stress disorder under the workers' compensation system
HB 1666	03/12/2025	Relating to the expunction of arrest records and files relating to certain nonviolent misdemeanor offenses
HB 1665	03/12/2025	Relating to the payment of gratuities to certain employees