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