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.