SRC-LBB H.B. 2971 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 2971 By: Harper-Brown (Deuell) Infrastructure Development and Security 5/19/2003 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE The intent of H.B. 2971 is to conform three provisions of the Transportation Code with other provisions of law and to clarify the duties of the Motor Vehicle Board. When license plate and registration issuance went to a year-round renewal system, this provision was overlooked, and the current provision still reflects the days when all registrations expired on March 31. H.B. 2971 provides that one of the consequences of losing one's general distinguishing number is loss of license. H.B. 2971 provides that a metal license plate expires on the same date as the expiration of the dealer license to which it is issued. This bill authorizes the Texas Motor Vehicle Board to adopt rules regulating the issuance and use of a license plate. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Motor Vehicle Board in SECTION 2 (Section 503.061, Transportation Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 503.038(c), Transportation Code, by adding the word "license" to the list of things a licensee loses upon loss of his/her general distinguishing number. SECTION 2. Amends Section 503.061, Transportation Code, as follows: Sec. 503.061. DEALER'S LICENSE PLATES. (a) Creates this subsection from existing text. (b) Authorizes the Texas Motor Vehicle Board to adopt rules regulating the issuance and use of a license plate issued pursuant to the terms of this section. SECTION 3. Amends Section 503.066(d), Transportation Code, to provide that a metal license plate issued under this chapter, rather than section, expires on the same date as the expiration of the dealer license to which it is issued, rather than March 31 of the year after the year of issuance, unless provided otherwise by law or rule of the department's Motor Vehicle Board. SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2003.