78R4495 JRJ-D

By:  Lindsay                                                      S.B. No. 439



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a motor vehicle with an altered or obscured license 
plate.      
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  The heading to Section 502.409, Transportation 
Code, is amended to read as follows:
	Sec. 502.409.  WRONG, FICTITIOUS, ALTERED, OR OBSCURED
[UNCLEAN] LICENSE PLATE.
	SECTION 2.  Section 502.409(a), Transportation Code, is 
amended to read as follows:
	(a)  A person commits an offense if the person attaches to or 
displays on a motor vehicle a number plate or registration insignia 
that:
		(1)  is assigned to a different motor vehicle;                                
		(2)  is assigned to the vehicle under any other motor 
vehicle law other than by the department;
		(3)  is assigned for a registration period other than 
the registration period in effect;
		(4)  is fictitious;                                                           
		(5)  has letters, numbers, or other identification 
marks that because of blurring or reflective matter are not plainly 
visible at all times during daylight;
		(6)  has an attached illuminated device or [is a] 
sticker, decal, emblem, or other insignia that is not authorized by 
law and that interferes with the readability of the letters or 
numbers on the plate or the name of the state in which the vehicle is 
registered; or
		(7)  has a coating, covering, or protective material 
that:           
			(A)  distorts angular visibility or 
detectability; or        
			(B)  alters or obscures the letters or numbers on 
the plate, the color of the plate, or another original design 
feature of the plate.
	SECTION 3.  (a)  The change in law made by this Act applies 
only to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this 
Act.  For the purposes of this section, an offense is committed 
before the effective date of this Act if any element of the offense 
occurs before that date.
	(b)  An offense committed before the effective date of this 
Act is governed by the law in effect when the offense was committed, 
and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.
	SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.