BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                     H.B. 1244

79R3331 DWS-D                                                                                             By: Hopson (Ogden)

Transportation & Homeland Security

5/10/2005

Engrossed

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Currently, the State of Texas allows for the issuance of specialty license plates for classic motor vehicles, including autos, motorcycles and trucks.  Classic travel trailers may not currently be designated as a classic vehicle.

H.B. 1244 expands state law so that travel trailers may be issued specialty license plates that read "Classic Travel Trailer" or a similar designation.

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 Subchapter F, Chapter 504, Transportation Code, by adding Section 504.5011, as follows:

Sec. 504.5011.  CLASSIC TRAVEL TRAILERS.  (a)  Defines "travel trailer."

(b)  Requires the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to issue specialty license plates for a travel trailer that is at least 25 years old.  Requires the license plates to display specific text.

(c)  Authorizes a person eligible for the license plates to instead use license plates that were issued by this state in the same year as the model year of the travel trailer and are approved by TxDOT.  Authorizes TxDOT to require the attachment of a registration insignia to the license plate in a manner that does not affect the display of information originally on the license plate.

(d)  Provides that the fee for issuance or approval of license plates under this section is $15.

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 2005.