SRC-ARR H.B. 2461 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterH.B. 2461 76R11893 EBy: Alexander (Ratliff) State Affairs 5/9/1999 Committee Report (Amended) DIGEST Currently, the Texas Department of Transportation (department) produces over 50 specially designed licensed plates. Such license plates have traditionally been seen as a fund-raising tool for charitable organizations, colleges, and universities. However, most specialty license plates have not covered the cost to the department for the production of the plates. H.B. 2461 would require the discontinuation of certain license plates if they do not meet the minimum sales figures, or unless a $15,000 deposit is made to the department. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 2461 regulates the issuance of certain specially designed licensed plates by the Texas Department of Transportation. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 502F, Transportation Code by adding Sections 502.2525 and 502.2526, as follows: Sec. 502.2525. DISCONTINUANCE OF CERTAIN SPECIALIZED LICENSE PLATES. Provides that this section applies only to license plates authorized by certain sections. Authorizes the Texas Department of Transportation (department) to continue to issue license plates to which this section applies only if before September 1, 2004, certain conditions exist, except as provided by Subsections (d) and (e), and then, on or after September 1, 2004. Provides that if before September 1, 2004, one of the conditions described by Subsection (b) is not met for a type of license plate to which this section applies, the section of this subchapter that authorizes the issuance of that type of license plate will expire on that date. Authorizes the department to continue to issue license plates under certain sections, on or after September 1, 2004. Provides that if before September 1, 2004, the department has not issued any license plates under Section 502.2703, that section expires on that date. Requires money deposited with the department under Subsections (b)(3), (d)(1)(C), or (d)(2)(C) to be returned by the department to the person who made the deposit only after the requisite number of license plates under those subsections are issued or presold. Sec. 502.2526. SPECIALIZED LICENSE PLATES AUTHORIZED AFTER JANUARY 1, 1999. Provides that this section applies only to specialized license plates that are authorized to be issued by a law that takes effect on or after January 1, 1999. Authorizes the department to manufacture the specialized license plates only if a request for manufacture of the license plate is filed with the department. Requires the request be made, filed, and accompanied by a deposit in certain way. Requires money deposited with the department under Subsection (b)(3)(A) to be returned to the person who made the deposit only if 3,500 sets of the applicable license plates are issued or presold. Provides that the law that authorizes the issuance of the specialized license plates expires on a certain date, if a request is not filed with the department before the date specified by Subsection (b)(2). SECTION 2. Amends Sections 502.2731(c) and (e), Transportation Code, to require the department to issue license plates under this section to a person who pays an annual fee of $25, rather than $50. Authorizes $20, rather than $40, to by used by the department for certain programs. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. Effective date: 90 days after adjournment. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES SECTION 1. Amends Section 502.2525(a), Transportation Code, by deleting Subdivision (11), requiring this section to apply only to license plates authorized by Section 502.292, as added by Chapter 1312, Acts of the 75th Legislature, Regular Session, 1997.