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.