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.