SRC-ARR S.B. 1328 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1328
By: Gallegos
Infrastructure
4/25/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, the Texas Department of Transportation (department) is
authorized to issue specialized license plates, some of which commemorate
groups that have made special contributions to the state and nation.
Persons who have served in the merchant marine of the United States have
never been honored in this manner by the state of Texas. The merchant
marine has played an active role in the United States wars and military
conflicts, and a vital part in American and Texas history. S.B. 1328 would
authorize the department to issue a special license plate for persons
retired from service in the merchant marine of the United States. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 1328 creates a special license plate for persons retired
from service in the merchant marine of the United States. 

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 Section
502.2585, as follows: 

Sec. 502.2585. PERSONS RETIRED FROM SERVICE IN MERCHANT MARINE OF THE
UNITED STATES. Requires the Department of Transportation (department) to
issue specially designed license plates for passenger cars and light trucks
owned by persons retired from service in the merchant marine of the United
States. Requires the license plates issued under this section to include
the words "merchant marine." Requires the department to issue license
plates under this section to certain persons. Requires the department to
send 50 cents of all fees collected under this section to the county
treasurer of the county in which the applicant resides. Requires the county
treasurer to credit money received under this section to the general fund
of the county to pay for the cost of administering this section. Authorizes
a person to be issued only one set of license plates under this section.
Requires the owner to return the special plates to the department, if the
owner of a vehicle registered under this section disposes of the vehicle
during the registration year. Authorizes the owner to then apply for
issuance of those plates to another vehicle. 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.
                      Effective date: upon passage.