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).