✅Relating to certificates of title for certain outboard motors.

HB 630

✅ HB 630: Antique Outboard Motors Exempt from Title Rules

What it says it does:
HB 630 removes the need for a Texas title on certain old outboard boat motors. It applies only to motors that are at least 40 years old and 25 horsepower or less.

What it actually changes:
It amends Parks and Wildlife Code Section 31.055 to add a new exemption for these antique motors. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department will no longer require titles for them after September 1, 2025.

Who is pushing for it:
Files show Rep. Cody Vasut authored the bill, with Sen. Judith Zaffirini as the Senate sponsor. No PACs or lobby groups are listed in the files. Testimony came mostly from private individuals registering as “Self.”

Who benefits:
Collectors and hobbyists who restore or trade vintage outboard motors gain the most. It helps them register or sell old equipment without running into missing-paperwork problems.

Who gets left out or exposed:
No one appears to be harmed. The only minor tradeoff is slightly less paper tracking for a small class of antique motors.

Why this matters long term:
It’s a small cleanup bill that makes state rules more reasonable for everyday Texans. It also shows that common-sense deregulation can happen without benefiting large industries or PACs.

What to watch next:
Watch how the Parks and Wildlife Department implements this exemption and whether they publish clear guidance to verify motor age and horsepower.

Bottom line:
A low-risk, people-focused reform that fixes a minor but real headache for boat owners and hobbyists, with no fiscal or legal downsides found in the files.

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