Sec. 31.037. CHANGE IN OWNERSHIP INTEREST; NOTICE TO DEPARTMENT. (a) The recorded owner of a vessel numbered in this state shall notify the department not later than the 20th day after the date:

(1) of the transfer by sale, donation, gift, or other means of all or any part of the owner's interest in the vessel, other than the creation of a security interest in the vessel;

(2) of the destruction or disposal of the vessel; or

(3) of the permanent removal of the vessel from this state to another state or country.

(a-1) The notification under Subsection (a) must be on a form prescribed by the department that includes:

(1) the name and address of the new owner, as applicable; and

(2) the vessel's certificate of number.

(b) If the vessel is destroyed, disposed of, or permanently moved to another state or country, the department shall cancel the certificate of number and enter the cancellation in its records.

(c) The new owner of a vessel shall, not later than the 45th day after the date ownership was transferred, submit an application to the department with:

(1) evidence of ownership;

(2) the new owner's name and address;

(3) the number of the vessel; and

(4) a fee of $2 or an amount set by the commission, whichever amount is more.

(d) On receipt of the new owner's application and fee the department shall transfer the certificate of number issued for the vessel to the new owner. Unless the application is made and the fee is paid on time, the vessel is without a certificate of number, and it is unlawful for any person to operate the vessel until the certificate is issued.

Acts 1975, 64th Leg., p. 1405, ch. 545, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1975. Amended by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 1327, ch. 277, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1983; Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 267, art. 2, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1985; Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 450, Sec. 11, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.

Amended by:

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 396 (H.B. 1466), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2015.

Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1249 (H.B. 4032), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2019.