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.