SRC-SEW H.B. 3441 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 3441 77R9287 DWS-DBy: Gallego (Madla) State Affairs 5/11/2001 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Current law provides that the registration of a passenger car or light truck owned by a state official, a member of congress, a state judge, a federal judge, a retired state judge, or a retired federal judge for specially designed license plates is for a registration period of 12 months or until March 31, whichever period is shorter. Such officials no longer in office or who have recently left office may not have enough to renew the registration of their motor vehicle license plates so that the vehicles conform to registration requirements of the general public. H.B. 3441 requires the registration of specially designed license plates for certain government officials to be for a period of 12 months or until January 31, whichever is shorter. 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 502.295(e), Transportation Code, to provide that a registration under this section is for a registration period of 12 consecutive months or until January (rather than March) 31, whichever period is shorter. SECTION 2. Amends Section 502.295(g), Transportation Code, to redefine "state official." SECTION 3. Amends Section 502.296(e), Transportation Code, to make a conforming change. SECTION 4. Amends Section 502.297(e), Transportation Code, to make a conforming change. SECTION 5. Amends Section 502.297(g)(2), Transportation Code, to redefine "state judge." SECTION 6. (a) Provides that, except as provided by Subsection (b), this Act takes effect September 1, 2001, and applies only to a registration period beginning on or after that date. (b) Provides that Sections 1, 3, and 4 of this Act take effect April 1, 2002. Requires the Texas Department of Transportation, if license plates are issued for a period of less than 12 months because of the changes in law made by those sections, to reduce the registration fee for that period accordingly.