By:  Harper-Brown                                                 H.B. No. 2971



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to certain license plates issued by the Texas Department 
of Transportation.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 503.038(c), Transportation Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
	(c)  A person whose general distinguishing number is 
canceled under this chapter shall surrender to a representative of 
the department each license, license plate, temporary cardboard 
tag, sticker, and receipt issued under this chapter not later than 
the 10th day after the date the general distinguishing number is 
canceled.  The department shall direct any peace officer to secure 
and return to the department any plate, tag, sticker, or receipt of 
a person who does not comply with this subsection.
	SECTION 2.  Section 503.061, Transportation Code, is amended 
to read as follows:
	Sec. 503.061.  DEALER'S LICENSE PLATES.  (a)  Instead of 
registering under Chapter 502 a vehicle that the dealer owns, 
operates, or permits to be operated on a public street or highway, 
the dealer may apply for, receive, and attach metal dealer's 
license plates to the vehicle if it is the type of vehicle:
		(1)  that the dealer sells; and                                               
		(2)  for which the dealer has been issued a general 
distinguishing number.  
	(b)  The board may adopt rules regulating the issuance and 
use of a license plate issued pursuant to the terms of this section.
	SECTION 3.  Section 503.066(d), Transportation Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
	(d)  A metal license plate issued under this chapter 
[section] expires on the same date as the expiration of the dealer 
license to which it is issued [March 31 of the year after the year of 
issuance, unless provided otherwise by law or rule of the 
department's Motor Vehicle Board].
	SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.