78R5815 JD-D

By:  Estes                                                        S.B. No. 677



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the number of license plates to be issued for and 
displayed on certain motor vehicles.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 502, Transportation Code, 
is amended by adding Section 502.010 to read as follows:
	Sec. 502.010.  ISSUANCE AND DISPLAY OF LICENSE PLATE FOR 
CERTAIN VEHICLES.  (a)  This section applies only to a vehicle that 
is owned by this state or a political subdivision of this state, 
other than a law enforcement vehicle that:
		(1)  is registered under Section 502.206; or                           
		(2)  is not registered under Section 502.206, but is 
intended for use in covert criminal investigations, as designated 
in the application for registration.
	(b)  Notwithstanding anything in this chapter to the 
contrary, including Section 502.180, the department shall issue 
only one license plate for attachment at the rear of a vehicle to 
which this section applies.
	(c)  Notwithstanding anything in this chapter to the 
contrary, including Section 502.404(a), a person is entitled to 
operate on a public highway a vehicle to which this section applies 
that displays only one license plate if the plate is attached at the 
rear of the vehicle.
	(d)  In any provision of this chapter that relates to the 
issuance or display of "license plates," "plates," or a "set of 
plates," for a vehicle to which this section applies, the term means 
only one license plate.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.