H.B. 2471 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 2471 By: Kuempel State Cultural and Recreational Resources Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Current law sets the fees for Ducks Unlimited specialty license plates at $50 for an original license with a $40 fee for renewal plates and a $35 fee for lost plates. This is in addition to the standard rate for issuance and renewal. This Act will reduce the fee for the original issuance of the plate, the renewal fee, and the fee for a lost, stolen or damaged plate to $25. This will bring the price in line with other license plates offered for sale by Texas Parks and Wildlife. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS HB 2471 amends the Transportation Code by reducing the original issuance fee for the waterfowl and wetland conservation special license plates from $50 to $25; the renewal fee from $40 to $25; and reducing the fee for a lost, stolen or mutilated plate from $35 to $25. This Act will only apply to license plates issued, renewed or replaced on or after the effective date of this Act. EFFECTIVE DATE This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a two-thirds vote from both houses. If not approved immediately, this Act takes effect September 1, 2003.