SRC-LBB, VRA S.B. 172 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 172 78R798 MTB-DBy: Shapiro Infrastructure Development & Security 2/6/2003 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, the Texas Transportation Code, Section 502.265, authorizes specially designed license plates commemorating military service by veterans of certain wars. There is no license plate available for current or former members of the United States armed forces who participated in Operation Enduring Freedom. As proposed, S.B. 172 requires the Texas Department of Transportation to issue specially designed license plates for cars and trucks owned by members of the United States Armed forces who participated in Operation Enduring Freedom. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 502F, Transportation Code, by adding Section 502.2651, as follows: Sec. 502.2651. ENDURING FREEDOM VETERANS. (a) Requires the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to issue specially designed license plates for passenger cars and light trucks owned by persons who served in the United States armed forces and participated in Operation Enduring Freedom. (b) Requires license plates issued under this section to include the words "Enduring Freedom." (c) Requires TxDOT to issue license plates under this section to a person who meets certain criteria. (d) Requires the owner of a vehicle, if the owner registered under this section disposes of the vehicle during the registration year, to return the special license plates to TxDOT. Authorizes the owner to then apply for issuance of those plates to another vehicle. (e) Provides that Section 502.2526 does not apply to this section. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2003.