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.