SRC-BWC S.B. 258 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 258
77R2518 MTB-DBy: Barrientos
State Affairs
2/15/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, a wide variety of groups is authorized to purchase specialized
license plates related to their profession, but Emergency Medical Services
(EMS) personnel are not able to do so.  As proposed, S.B. 258 requires the
Texas Department of Transportation to issue specially designed license
plates for passenger cars and light trucks owned by EMS personnel.  

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 Chapter 502F, Transportation Code, by adding Section
502.2681, as follows: 

Sec.  502.2681.  EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PERSONNEL.  Requires the Texas
Department of Transportation (department) to issue specially designed
license plates for passenger cars and light trucks owned by emergency
medical services personnel certified by the Texas Department of Health
under Chapter 773C (Licenses, Certification, and Qualifications), Health
and Safety Code.  Authorizes a person to apply at any time for registration
through the county assessor-collector in which the person resides.
Requires the department to prescribe the application form and verify
eligibility for registration.  Provides that the registration fee and
issuance of the special license plate is an annual fee of $4, and in
addition to the fee prescribed by Section 502.161 or 501.162, and, if
personalized prestige license plates are issued, in addition to the fee
prescribed by Section 502.251.  Requires the county assessor-collector to
send the annual fee to the department to defray the cost of providing the
special license plates.  Authorizes a person to register for a person's own
use and only one vehicle.  Requires the return of the license plate to the
department if the vehicle is sold, and authorizes the owner to then
register another vehicle.  Provides that registration is valid for one
registration year. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2001.