BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2783

By: Sheffield

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Observers note that a license plate or set of plates issued for a vehicle in Texas is replaced periodically because of the gradual loss of reflective material on such plates over time.  Interested parties note that even though reflectivity is guaranteed for eight years, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles replaces plates every seven years.  The parties also note that under Transportation Code provisions license plates may be replaced after five years.  H.B. 2783 seeks to address this issue by extending the period between issuance of license plates from five years to eight years.

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

H.B. 2783 amends the Transportation Code to change from five years to eight years the period during which the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles is required to issue only one license plate or set of plates for a vehicle. The bill requires the department to issue a registration insignia for the validation of the license plate or set of license plates each registration year after the issuance of the plate or plates, rather than the first, second, third, or fourth registration year after issuance. The bill makes a conforming change.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2011.