H.B. 2971 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 2971 By: Harper-Brown Transportation Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The intent of House Bill 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. This bill would clarify the board's rule-making authority with respect to license plates and states that the board may adopt rules regulating the issuance and use of a license plate issued pursuant to the terms of this section. HB 2971 is also needed to correct a prior omission in the law by ensuring that one of the consequences of losing one's general distinguishing number is loss of license as well. HB 2971 would also encourage internal consistency and statutory conformity. 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. HB 2971 would require that the metal license plates expire on the same date as the expiration of the dealer license to which it is issued. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Motor Vehicle Board in SECTION 2 (503.061, Transportation Code) of this bill. 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, by adding subsection (b) to clarify the board's rule-making authority with respect to license plates and states that the board may 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 require that the metal license plate expires on the same date as the expiration of the dealer license to which it is issued. SECTION 4 states the effective date. The bill would be effective September 1, 2003. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2003.