BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 487

By: Deshotel

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Concerns have been raised regarding the difficulty in identifying a vehicle belonging to a justice of the peace, which may present a safety issue for citizens and justices of the peace in performing their official duties. H.B. 487 seeks to address these concerns by providing for the issuance of specialty license plates for justices of the peace.

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

H.B. 487 amends the Transportation Code to require the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to issue specialty license plates for current justices of the peace of the state that include the words "Justice of the Peace."

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.