• Senate Bill 1267 Increases Transparency in Boat Transactions

MINNEAPOLIS, June 10, 2025 — The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas (MRAA), along with a coalition of recreational boating organizations, commends the state of Texas for enacting Senate Bill 1267, signed into law on May 27 by Gov. Greg Abbott. This bipartisan legislation, classified as “Uniform Certificate of Title for Vessels Act” (UCOTVA), makes important changes to Texas boat titling, registration and branding systems, ultimately delivering significant benefits to consumers, law enforcement, marine retailers and the industry at large.

Authored by Senator Carol Alvarado and sponsored in the House by Representative Cody Vasut, SB 1267 introduces comprehensive reforms to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code. The bill aims to enhance transparency, combat fraud and streamline the process of buying and selling boats in Texas. To clarify, the provisions put forth in SB 1267 fall under UCOTVA. The recreational boating industry, National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and the Uniform Law Commission (ULC) support this set of policy recommendations.

Furthermore, the policies will provide more protections for consumers and marine retailers, making it harder for bad actors to hide the vessel history and deter theft. Ultimately, this increases transparency in the marketplace. Texas is the seventh jurisdiction to enact UCOTVA provisions.

“The MRAA praises the passage of SB 1267 and commends Representative Vasut and Senator Alvarado for championing legislation that supports the recreational marine industry,” said Chad Tokowicz, MRAA Government Relations Manager. “It is our hope that the successful passage of SB 1267 in Texas will pave the way for other states to follow the lead and consider adopting UCOTVA to the benefit of their states recreational marine industry.”

Key Consumer Protections and Industry Enhancements in Texas Boating Bill — SB 1267:

• Hull-Damaged Title Branding:
  • The law mandates that vessels with known hull damage be clearly branded as “Hull Damaged” on their titles. To clarify, the requirement applies to both private sellers and insurers and includes criminal penalties for noncompliance. Overall, it ensures that consumers are aware of serious issues before purchase. It helps them make informed decisions and reducing the risk of unknowingly buying unsafe or devalued vessels.
• Accelerated Titling Process:
  • The timeframe for submitting a title application after a boat sale has been reduced from 45 days to 20 days. This change expedites ownership transfers and reduces opportunities for title fraud.
• Electronic Titling and Records:
  • The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) is now authorized to issue and maintain electronic titles and ownership records. This modernization improves record accuracy and accessibility for consumers and law enforcement.
• Enhanced Hull Identification Number (HIN) Enforcement:
  • The law strengthens regulations surrounding HINs, requiring inspections and proper documentation to prevent tampering and ensure accurate vessel identification.

Marine Industry Coalition

A recreational marine industry coalition, including the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), Boat History Report and the MRAA, supported SB 1267. The MRAA worked with the NMMA to ensure that legislators on key committees understood the benefits and implications of UCOTVA. We urged them to support the passage of the Texas boating bill and legislation. Click here to see our outreach.

“The passage of SB 1267 marks an important victory for boaters, dealers and manufacturers across Texas,” said Emily Villanueva, NMMA Western Government Relations Manager. “By modernizing Texas’ titling and registration system, this legislation brings much-needed transparency, strengthens consumer protections and aligns with national best practices that benefit the entire recreational marine industry. We commend Senator Alvarado, Representative Vasut and the Texas Legislature for their leadership and are proud to have partnered with MRAA and other stakeholders to support this reform.”

A Focus on Boat History

The industry’s most trusted provider of pre-owned boat history reports, Boat History Report actively supported SB 1267. Its support is part of the broader effort to enhance transparency and consumer protection in boating.

Boat History Report was founded in 2005 to address the lack of reliable information in the used boat market. Grant Brooks, its founder, was frustrated with inconsistent and incomplete data when he searched for a boat. Today, Boat History Report compiles thousands of public and private data sources into comprehensive reports. The reports help buyers, sellers, lenders, insurers and regulators make more informed decisions.

An MRAA Platinum Partner Member, Boat History Report’s mission aligns closely with the objectives of SB 1267. It remains committed to promoting safer and more transparent boat transactions nationwide.

“This legislation is a significant step forward for boating safety and consumer protection in Texas,” said Caroline Mantel, Boat History Report Director of Business Development. “We applaud the Texas Legislature and Governor Abbott for enacting these reforms, which will serve as a model for other states seeking to enhance transparency and integrity in the boating industry.”

UCOTVA Momentum

The MRAA and industry partners are mobilizing to champion these policies as UCOTVA spreads to other states. Want to know more about UCOTVA or discover how you can make a difference? Want to take action on other MRAA advocacy priorities? Please reach out to MRAA Government Relations Manager, Chad Tokowicz, at Chad@mraa.com.