BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 199

By: Huberty

Transportation

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, the state is allowed to create specialty license plates. C.S.H.B. 199 seeks to create such an official specialty license plate recognizing county officials.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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

C.S.H.B. 199 amends the Transportation Code to require the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to issue specialty license plates for county officials that include the words "County Official." The bill defines "county official" as a person who currently serves in an elected county office, other than a person elected by precinct.

EFFECTIVE DATE

January 1, 2016.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 199 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following comparison is organized and formatted in a manner that indicates the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

INTRODUCED	HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SECTION 1.  Subchapter E, Chapter 504, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Section 504.407 to read as follows: Sec. 504.407.  COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR-COLLECTORS. The department shall issue specialty license plates for county tax assessor-collectors. The license plates must include the words "County Tax Assessor-Collector."	SECTION 1.  Subchapter E, Chapter 504, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Section 504.4051 to read as follows: Sec. 504.4051.  CERTAIN COUNTY OFFICIALS.  (a) In this section, "county official" means a person who currently serves in an elected county office, other than a person elected by precinct. (b)  The department shall issue specialty license plates for county officials. The license plates must include the words "County Official."
SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect January 1, 2016.