SRC-JBJ S.B. 1358 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1358 By: Barrientos Criminal Justice 4/19/1999 As Filed DIGEST Currently, Texas does not offer special license plates for emergency medical services personnel. The public could benefit if the personal vehicle of emergency medical services personnel could be easily identifiable by specially designated license plates in the event of an emergency. S.B. 1358 would require the Texas Department of Transportation to issue a special license plate to emergency medical services personnel who apply and are certified or licensed by the Texas Department of Health. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 1358 requires the issuance of special license plates for emergency medical services personnel. 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 502.298, as follows: Sec. 502.298. EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PERSONNEL. Requires the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to issue specially designed license plates for passenger cars and light trucks owned by emergency medical services personnel certified or licensed by the Texas Department of Health (TDH). Requires the plates to include "Emergency Medical Services" and to display a blue reflective Star of Life. Authorizes a person to apply to TxDOT for registration through the county assessor-collector of county in which the person lives. Requires TxDOT to prescribe the form of the application and to require the applicant to submit proof of eligibility. Provides that the application fee is the fee prescribed for the vehicle by this chapter plus an additional fee of $4. Requires the county assessor-collector to send the additional fee to TxDOT to defray the cost of providing the special license plates. Provides that the registration is valid for one year. Authorizes a person to register for only one vehicle. Requires the registered owner to return the plate if the owner disposes of the vehicle during the registration year, prior to registering another vehicle. Requires the owner to return the plate if TDH takes action that removes the certification or license of the owner. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 3.Emergency clause.