SRC-SEW H.B. 15 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 15
77R12362 JAT-DBy: Corte (Madla)
State Affairs
5/11/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Current law requires the Texas Department of Transportation to issue
specially designed license plates for motorcycles, passenger cars, and
light trucks regularly operated for noncommercial use by or for the
transportation of a person with a permanent disability. The law defines a
light truck as having a manufacturer's rated carrying capacity of one ton
or less. Certain vehicles such as recreational vehicles (RVs) are excluded
from receiving license plates for people with permanent disabilities
because they weigh more than one ton. Yet, there are permanently disabled
persons who utilize RVs for traveling. In addition, facilities,
institutions, and residential retirement communities that provide care for
veterans with disabilities are excluded from receiving such license plates
for their buses or vans used to transport veterans with disabilities. H.B.
15 requires the Texas Department of Transportation to provide for the
issuance of specially designed license plates for all motor vehicles with a
manufacturer's rated carrying capacity of two tons or less regularly
operated for noncommercial use by or for the transportation of a person
with a permanent disability or a veteran with a disability.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 502.2531, Transportation Code, to require the
Department of Transportation (department) to provide for the issuance of
the specially designed license plates under Section 502.253 or 502.254 for
a van or bus operated by an institution, facility, or residential
retirement community for the elderly or for veterans in which a person
described by Section 502.253(b) or 502.254(a), as applicable, resides,
including an institution licensed under Chapter 242, Health and Safety
Code, and a facility licensed under Chapter 246 or 247 of that code.  Makes
conforming changes.   
 
SECTION 2.  Amends Sections 502.253(a) and (h), Transportation Code, to
require the department to provide for the issuance of specially designed
license plates for motor vehicles with a manufacturer's rated carrying
capacity of two tons or less (rather than motorcycles, passenger cars, and
light trucks) regularly operated for noncommercial use by or for the
transportation of a person with a permanent disability.  Makes a conforming
change. 
 
SECTION 3.  Amends Section 502.254(a), Transportation Code, to make
conforming changes. 
 
SECTION 4.  Effective date:  September 1, 2001.