SRC-ARR S.B. 132 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 132
By: Nixon
State Affairs
8/9/1999
Enrolled


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas law allows disabled persons to register and acquire
special license plates and vehicle parking placards. Such persons are
required to procure a written statement from a physician licensed in Texas.
However, persons living in areas near the state line often have physicians
in another state. S.B. 132 will allow disabled persons to acquire a written
statement from physicians licensed in a state adjacent to Texas.  

PURPOSE

As enrolled, S.B. 132 requires the issuance of special license plates or
vehicle parking placards to persons with disabilities. 

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 Section 502.253(e), Transportation Code, to require the
first application for registration to be accompanied by a written statement
of a physician in a state adjacent to this state, or authorized by
applicable law to practice medicine in a hospital or other health facility
of the Veterans Administration, certifying to the Texas Department of
Transportation that the person making the application is handicapped. 

SECTION  2. Amends Section 681.001(5), Transportation Code, to redefine
"mobility problem that substantially impairs a person's ability to
ambulate." 

SECTION  3. Amends Section 681.003(c), Transportation Code, to make a
conforming change. 

SECTION  4. Emergency clause.
            Effective date: upon passage.