By Keel H.B. No. 1319 76R5889 WP-D A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1-1 AN ACT 1-2 relating to visibility of vehicle license plates; providing a 1-3 criminal penalty. 1-4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: 1-5 SECTION 1. Subchapter H, Chapter 502, Transportation Code, 1-6 is amended by adding Section 502.4091 to read as follows: 1-7 Sec. 502.4091. OBSTRUCTED LICENSE PLATE. (a) A person 1-8 commits an offense if the person operates, or as the owner permits 1-9 another to operate, on a public highway a motor vehicle that has 1-10 any device or material on the vehicle's license plate that: 1-11 (1) obstructs the clear view of the license plate; or 1-12 (2) comes closer than one-quarter inch to any number, 1-13 letter, character, or other writing or symbol on the license plate. 1-14 (b) An offense under this section is a misdemeanor 1-15 punishable by a fine of not more than $200. 1-16 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 1999. 1-17 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the 1-18 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an 1-19 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the 1-20 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several 1-21 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.