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.