S.B. 439 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


S.B. 439
By: Lindsay
Law Enforcement
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, there are prohibitions against the operation of a motor
vehicle with certain types of obscured license plates.  However,
improvements in technology have rendered these prohibitions incomplete.
Companies are now marketing technologically advanced products designed to
obscure information on license plates to defeat photo radar and
enforcement cameras.  Senate Bill 439 addresses this issue by updating the
prohibitions on the use of devices designed to obscure license plate
information.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 

ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 439 amends Section 502.409(a), Transportation Code, to provide
that, in addition to current statutory restrictions, a person commits an
offense if the person attaches to or displays on a motor vehicle a number
plate or registration insignia that: 

_  has identification marks that, because of reflective matter, are not
plainly visible at all times during daylight; 
_  has an attached illumination device or emblem not authorized by law and
that interferes with the readability of the letters or numbers on the
plate or the name of the state in which the vehicle is registered; or 
_  alters or obscures the letters, numbers, color, or original design
features of the plate. 
  
EFFECTIVE DATE

      This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.