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


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 258
77R6803 MTB-DBy: Barrientos
State Affairs
2/20/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)


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, C.S.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 licensed or 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.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

Differs from As Filed version in SECTION 1 (Section 502.2681), by allowing
personnel licensed by the Texas Department of Health to receive specially
designed license plates.