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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to license plates for certain vehicles used to provide |
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passenger transportation services for compensation; creating a |
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criminal offense. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter F, Chapter 504, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 504.517 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 504.517. REQUIRED LICENSE PLATES FOR RIDE-FOR-HIRE |
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MOTOR VEHICLE. (a) In this section, "ride-for-hire motor vehicle" |
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means a motor vehicle that: |
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(1) is designed to carry not more than eight |
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passengers; and |
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(2) is licensed or registered with a municipality to |
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provide passenger transportation services for compensation. |
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(b) The department shall issue specialty license plates for |
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ride-for-hire motor vehicles. License plates issued under this |
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section must include the words "taxi," "livery," "ride-for-hire |
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vehicle," or other municipal designation, as appropriate. |
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(c) A ride-for-hire motor vehicle providing passenger |
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transportation services shall display license plates issued under |
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this section. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter L, Chapter 504, Transportation Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 504.949 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 504.949. RIDE-FOR-HIRE VEHICLES. A person commits an |
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offense if the person operates a vehicle in violation of Section |
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504.517(c). An offense under this section is a misdemeanor |
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punishable by a fine of not more than $200. |
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SECTION 3. (a) The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles shall |
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make available the license plates described by Section 504.517, |
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Transportation Code, as added by this Act, not later than January 1, |
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2016. |
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(b) Section 504.517, Transportation Code, as added by this |
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Act, applies only to the operation of a vehicle used to provide |
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passenger transportation services on or after March 1, 2016. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |