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.