SRC-MSY S.B. 1697 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1697 78R8628 DWS-DBy: Wentworth Infrastructure Development and Security 3/27/2003 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently the Texas Transportation Code allows the issuance of specially designed license plates bearing the name or logo of a civic group, an institution, or a certain sport, activity, or interest. As proposed, S.B. 1697 creates a license plate for recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross Medal, and sets forth the requirements and conditions for the issuance of such a license plate. 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 502.2601, as follows: Sec. 502.2601. DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS MEDAL RECIPIENTS. (a) Requires the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to issue specially designed license plates for passenger cars and light trucks owned by recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross Medal. (b) Requires the license plates to bear a depiction of the Distinguished Flying Cross Medal and the words "Distinguished Flying Cross Medal" at the bottom of the plate. (c) Requires TxDOT to issue license plates under this section to a person who meets certain requirements. (d) Authorizes the owner of the vehicle for which the plates were issued to obtain replacement license plates from TxDOT by paying a certain fee, if the license plates issued under this section are lost, stolen, or mutilated. (e) Requires the owner of a vehicle registered under this section to return the special license plates to the department if the owner disposes of the vehicle during the registration year. Authorizes the owner to then apply for issuance of those plates to another vehicle. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2003.