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.