BILL ANALYSIS



C.S.H.B. 496
By: Hunter, B.
04-05-95
Committee Report (Substituted)


BACKGROUND

Representatives of the Republic of China on Taiwan have been left
without diplomatic recognition since the United States chose to
officially recognized the Peoples' Republic of China in 1979. 
Despite this, the United States and the Republic of China on Taiwan
maintain cultural offices in one another's countries.

This legislation provides distinctive license plates reading
"Foreign Organization" for use on automobiles owned by Republic of
China's cultural offices in Texas.  The Republic of China's
government has extended similar courtesies to vehicles owned by the
American Institute in Taiwan, the US cultural office.

PURPOSE

This legislation provides for the creation and issuance of special
"Foreign Organization" license plates to those instrumentalities
established by a foreign government.  This bill applies only to
governments that were officially recognized by the United State
prior to January 1, 1979 that are currently without diplomatic
recognition.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution,
or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 5e. 4, Chapter 88, General Laws, Acts
of the 41st Legislature, 2nd Called Session, 1929 (Article 6675a-5e.4, Vernon's Texas Civil Statutes) by adding a clause providing
for the issuance of special license plates for passenger cars and
light commercial vehicles owned by "an instrumentality
established by a foreign government recognized by the United
States before January 1, 1979 that is without official
representation or diplomatic relations the United States.  A
vehicle for which plates are issued under this Subsection is
exempt from the motor vehicle registration fee imposed by Section
5 of this Act and any additional county fee imposed under
Sections 9a or 9b of this Act.

SECTION 2.     Effective Date:  September 1, 1995.

SECTION 3.     Emergency Clause.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

The Committee Substitute to H.B. 496 adds the following: A
vehicle for which plates are issued under this Subsection is
exempt from the motor vehicle registration fee imposed by Section
5 of this Act and any additional county fee imposed under
Sections 9a or 9b of this Act.

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.  The Chair
laid out H.B. 496 and recognized Representative Bob Hunter.  The
Chair recognized the following persons to testify in support of
H.B. 496.  Timothy Yang, Director General Taipei Economic and
Cultural Office in Houston, Texas.  Representative Vilma Luna. 
The Chair recognized Representative Bob Hunter to close on H.B.
496.  The Chair left H.B. 496 pending before the Committee. 
Pursuant to a public notice posted on March 30, 1995 at 6:02
p.m., the House Committee on Transportation met in a public
hearing on Wednesday, April 5, 1995 at 2:00 p.m. or upon
adjournment, in room E1.014 of the Capitol Extension and was
called to order at 6:30 p.m. by the Chair, Representative Clyde
Alexander after the House recessed.  The Chair laid out H.B. 496
by Hunter, B., which was pending before the committee. 
Representative Bosse laid out the Committee substitute to H.B.
496, and without objection the substitute was adopted. 
Representative Bosse moved that the committee report H.B. 496, as
substituted, to the full House with the recommendation that it do
pass.  The motion prevailed by the following vote: Ayes (7),
Nayes (0), Absent (2), Present not voting (0).