BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1271

By: Watson

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There have been calls to recognize the unique attributes of certain cities in Texas in an effort to promote buy-local campaigns supporting local small businesses. It has been suggested that the issuance of a specialty license plate featuring the words "Keep Austin Weird" would help to promote those ideas. S.B. 1271 seeks to address this issue by providing for the issuance of such a license plate.

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

S.B. 1271 amends the Transportation Code to require the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) to issue specialty license plates that include the words "Keep Austin Weird." The bill requires the remainder of the fee for issuance of the license plates after the deduction of TxDMV administrative costs to be deposited to the credit of the general revenue fund.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.