86R7692 BEE-D
 
  By: Shaheen H.B. No. 2149
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the number of license plates to be issued for and
  displayed on certain motor vehicles.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.   Subchapter A, Chapter 504, Transportation Code,
  is amended by adding Section 504.011 to read as follows:
         Sec. 504.011.  ISSUANCE AND DISPLAY OF LICENSE PLATE FOR
  PASSENGER CAR OR LIGHT TRUCK.  (a) Notwithstanding anything in this
  code to the contrary, the department shall issue only one license
  plate for attachment at the rear of a passenger car or light truck
  for which the plate is issued.
         (b)  Notwithstanding anything in this code to the contrary, a
  person is entitled to operate on a public highway a passenger car or
  light truck that displays only one license plate if the plate is
  attached at the rear of the vehicle.  A person may operate on a
  public highway a passenger car or light truck that displays two
  license plates if both plates were assigned by the department for
  the registration period as a set of plates.
         (c)  In any provision of this code that relates to the
  issuance or display of "license plates," "plates," or a "set of
  plates" for a passenger car or light truck, the term means only one
  license plate.
         SECTION 2.  Section 504.943, Transportation Code, is amended
  by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (f) to read as
  follows:
         (b)  A person commits an offense if the person operates on a
  public highway during a registration period a passenger car, light
  truck, road tractor, motorcycle, trailer, or semitrailer that does
  not display a license plate that:
               (1)  has been assigned by the department for the
  period; and
               (2)  complies with department rules regarding the
  placement of license plates.
         (f)  In this section, "light truck" and "passenger car" have
  the meanings assigned by Section 541.201.
         SECTION 3.  The change in law made by this Act regarding the
  issuance of license plates by the Texas Department of Motor
  Vehicles applies only to the issuance of license plates by the
  department for a registration period beginning on or after the
  effective date of this Act. For a registration period that begins
  before the effective date of this Act, the department shall issue
  license plates as required by the law in effect immediately before
  the effective date of this Act, and the former law is continued in
  effect for that purpose.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.