88R7387 DIO-D
 
  By: Hinojosa, Shaheen, Morales of Harris, H.B. No. 1778
      Jones of Harris, Bucy
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the issuance of specialty license plates to certain
  professional sports teams.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 504.614(a), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The department may issue specialty license plates that
  include the name and insignia of a professional sports team located
  in this state. The department shall design the license plates in
  consultation with the professional sports team and may enter a
  trademark license with the professional sports team or its league
  to implement this section. A license plate may be issued under this
  section only for a professional sports team that:
               (1)  certifies to the department that the requirements
  of Section 504.702 are met; and
               (2)  plays its home games in a facility:
                     (A)  constructed or operated, in whole or in part,
  with public funds; or
                     (B)  owned, in whole or in part, by a public
  entity.
         SECTION 2.  Section 504.614(c)(2), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
               (2)  "Professional sports team" means a sports team
  that is a member or an affiliate of a member of the National
  Football League, National Basketball Association, [or] National
  Hockey League, Major League Soccer, or a major league baseball
  team.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.