SRC-LBB S.B. 557 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 557 78R5159 JRJ-DBy: Madla Infrastructure Development and Security 3/5/2003 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Current Texas law allows specially designed license plates, benefitting an organization whose principal purpose is the improvement or preservation of Big Bend National Park, to be issued only for passenger cars and light trucks. In addition, the Texas Department of Transportation is not authorized to release the names of those who order the license plates to the Friends of the Big Bend Organization. As proposed, S.B. 557 adds motorcycle plates to the list of specialty plates for the Friends of Big Bend and provides a method by which a purchaser can choose whether the purchaser wants to be contacted by the Friends of Big Bend National Park. 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 Section 502.2732, Transportation Code, by amending Subsections (a) and (d) and adding Subsection (h), as follows: (a) Includes motorcycles in the list of vehicles for which the Texas Department of Transportation is required to issue specially designed license plates to support a nonprofit organization designated by the Parks and Wildlife Department as espousing the improvement or preservation of Big Bend National Park. (d) Includes Section 502.160 in the list of sections relating to fees for a license plate. (h) Requires an application for license plates under this section to include a printed box for the applicant to check if the applicant does not consent to the release of his or her name and address. Requires the application to clearly specify that in not checking the box, the applicant consents to the release of the information. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2003.