PURPOSE
To provide information on an amendment of Occupations Code, Chapter 2303 allowing Vehicle Storage Facilities (VSF) the option of electronic certified mail.

DETAILS
House Bill 849 (copy attached) enacted by the 78^th Texas Legislature, 2003, amended Occupations Code, Section 2303.151(d) to allow VSF(s) the option of electronic certified mail. The VSF(s) are still required to send the certified mail notices; however, they now have the option of using the services of an electronic certified mail vendor to track mailing and delivery of the certified mail. If VSF(s) use the services of an electronic certified mail vendor they will provide certified mail receipts similar to the PS Form 3800, and a copy of an electronic listing indicating when the notice was mailed, delivered and/or returned to the U.S. Postal Service. This listing will be accepted in lieu of the PS Form 3811.

COUNTY ACTION
When these types of title transactions are filed, you will need to ensure that the certified mail number indicated on the form representing the PS Form 3800 is reflected on the electronic listing. If the electronic listing indicates that the notice was delivered, the listing satisfies the PS Form 3811 requirement.

If the electronic listing indicates a code for unclaimed, etc., the transaction should include:

• a receipt similar to the PS Form 3800;
• the unopened mail returned by the U.S. Postal Service;
• the electronic listing;
• a copy of the electronic certified mail vendor’s delivery status event code details table;
• the newspaper publication; and
• the title and registration verification printout.
• All Tax Assessor-Collectors 2 December 22, 2003

Attached is a chart that clarifies the required documentation for certified mail and electronic certified mail. Also attached is an example of Pitney Bowes Electronic Delivery Tracking System and their Delivery Status Event Code Details Table. Please note that other vendor’s electronic listings may have different features.

Note: Not all vendors use the same delivery tracking system as Pitney Bowes. The shipment that you are tracking may have been processed through a different vendor than Pitney Bowes, and therefore, may have different tracking features.

DEPARTMENT ACTIONS

• The Vehicle Titles and Registration Division will follow these same instructions when processing title transactions supported by electronic certified mail documentation.
• The Motor Vehicle Title Manual will be revised accordingly.
• The Storage Lien for Licensed Vehicle Storage Facility (Form VTR-265-VSF) will be revised upon reorder.

CONTACT PERSON
If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact your local Texas Department of Transportation, Vehicle Titles and Registration Division Regional Office. Thank you very much.

In some cases the Registration and Title Bulletins (RTB) contain attachments. If you require a copy of the original signed RTB and the attachments, please email your request with the RTB number to VTR Info Request/Open Records. Repeat requests are subject to charges in accordance with Open Record policies. A subscription service is also available for an annual fee of $250. Subscribers will automatically receive all RTB mailings as they are issued.