BILL ANALYSIS
By: Lindsay
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The 78th Texas Legislature, 2003, enacted S.B. 439, which prohibited the use of devices designed to obscure license plate information. However, many vehicles are still operating with obscured license plates. SB 125 adds license plates to the list of items that would be inspected when receiving a vehicle inspection certificate.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 502.409(a), Transportation Code, by deleting existing text that provides that having a covering, coating or protective material that alters or obscures an original design feature of the license plate constitutes an offense.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 548.051, Transportation Code, by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (c), as follows:
(a) Requires a motor vehicle, trailer, semitrailer, pole trailer, or mobile home that is registered in this state, except as provided by Subsection (c), to be inspected for license plates in compliance with Section 502.409(a)(5), (6), and (7) (license plate offenses), as provided by the Texas Department of Transportation rule.
(c) Provides that Subsection (a)(17) does not apply to the initial inspection of certain vehicles.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2005.
EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2005.