BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 215 By: Zbranek 03-08-95 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND V.T.C.S. Article 6675a Section 5k(f) indicates that the prices for various specialty license plates ranges from $3 to $10 per year. The military veterans are given, through the state, the opportunity to purchase special license plates that depict a variety of symbols, awards, or events that have special military or historical significance. These plates are available for a fee (on a per year basis) that range from $3.00 for a "Pearl Harbor Survivor" plate to $10 for other Armed Services plates. This disparity in price has made some veterans feel that one area of service was being considered more important by the State than others. PURPOSE This bill proposes that all specialty license plates that depict military symbols, awards, or events be a uniform price of $3.00 per year. This bill also specifically exempts those license plates depicting the State Capitol from the price of $3.00. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 88, General Laws, Acts of the 41st Legislature, 2nd Called Session, 1929 (Article 5k(f), Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes) by making all special license plates, except those depicting the capitol, $3.00 a year. SECTION 2. Sets the effective date as September 1, 1995 and states that the law only applies to registration that occurs after the effective date. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION Pursuant to a public notice posted on February 16, 1995 at 4:56 p.m., the House Committee on Transportation met in a public hearing on Wednesday, February 22, 1995 at 2:00 p.m. in Room E1.014 of the Capitol Extension and was called to order at 2:09 p.m. by the Chair, Representative Clyde Alexander to consider House Bill 215. No one testified for, against, or neutrally on the measure. Chairman Alexander left House Bill 215 pending before the Committee. On Wednesday March 8, 1995 at 2:00 p.m., the House Committee on Transportation met in a public hearing in Room E1.014 of the Capitol Extension. The Chair laid out House Bill 215. Representative Uher moved that the Committee report House Bill 215, without amendments, to the full House with the recommendation that it do pass. The motion prevailed by a count of Ayes (7), Nayes (0), Absent (2), Present Not Voting (0).