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.