SRC-LBB S.B. 1270 78(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 1270
78R6540 DWS-DBy: Armbrister
Infrastructure Development and Security
3/24/2003
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

During the 76th Texas Legislative Session H.B. 2641 was enacted,
authorized the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to issue
Waterfowl and Wetland Conservation specialty license plates.  In
conjunction with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the Waterfowl
and Wetland Conservation "Texas Ducks Unlimited" (TDU) license plate was
created.  As directed by the legislation, TxDOT charges a special plate
fee of $50 for the DU license plate.  TxDOT offers specialty plates for
various other organizations.  However, most of those have a specialty
plate fee of either $25 or $30.  As proposed, S.B. 1270 reduces the
specialty license fee for the TDU plates $25 and the renewal rate from $40
to $25.  It is the hope of TDU that this reduction in cost will increase
the number of license plates bought and renewed. 

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 Sections 502.303(c) and (d), Transportation Code, as
follows: 

(c)  Decreases from $50 to $25 the fee for an original issuance or renewal
of issuance of license plates under this section by the Texas Department
of Transportation. 

(d)  Decreases from $35 to $25 the fee for the replacement of a lost,
stolen, or mutilated plate issued under this section.  Deletes  

SECTION 2.  Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3.  Effective date:  upon passage or September 1, 2003.