SRC-JEC H.B. 460 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 460 78R2899 DWS-DBy: Gallego (Barrientos) Infrastructure Development and Security 5/22/2003 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Current law provides that the registration period for state official license plates is 12 months or until March 31, whichever period is shorter. Terms of office begin in January and any turnover usually occurs then, which sometimes creates a conflict regarding the state official plates, which are designated by office. H.B. 460 moves the expiration of the registration period from March 31 to January 31. 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, by providing that a registration under this section is for a 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 provide that a justice of the supreme court and a judge of the court of criminal appeals are not included in the definition of "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 provide that a justice of the supreme court and a judge of the court of criminal appeals are included in the definition of "state judge." SECTION 6. (a) Effective date, except as provided by Subsection (b): September 1, 2003. Makes application of this Act prospective. (b) Effective date for SECTIONS 1, 3, and 4 of this Act: April 1, 2004. Requires the Texas Department of Transportation to prorate the registration fee if license plates are issued for a period of less than 12 months because of the changes in law made by those sections.