By: Uresti S.B. No. 1757

(In the Senate - Filed March 8, 2013; March 25, 2013, read first time and referred to Committee on Criminal Justice; April 22, 2013, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 6, Nays 0; April 22, 2013, sent to printer.)

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 1757 By: Rodriguez

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the manufacture, sale, distribution, purchase, or possession of a license plate flipper; creating an offense.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter L, Chapter 504, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Section 504.946 to read as follows:

Sec. 504.946. LICENSE PLATE FLIPPER; OFFENSE. (a) In this section, "license plate flipper" means a manual, electronic, or mechanical device designed or adapted to be installed on a motor vehicle and:

(1) switch between two or more license plates for the purpose of allowing a motor vehicle operator to change the license plate displayed on the operator's vehicle; or

(2) hide a license plate from view by flipping the license plate so that the license plate number is not visible.

(b) A person commits an offense if the person with criminal negligence purchases or possesses a license plate flipper. An offense under this subsection is a Class B misdemeanor.

(c) A person commits an offense if the person with criminal negligence manufactures, sells, offers to sell, or otherwise distributes a license plate flipper. An offense under this subsection is a Class A misdemeanor.

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, 2013.

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