BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 2220

By: Canales

Transportation

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Due to cost efficiencies and manufacturing changes, Texans have lacked the option to choose embossed license plates since 2009. As a matter of consumer choice, some specialty license plate customers have expressed a preference for embossed plates as opposed to the flat format currently produced. C.S.H.B. 2220 seeks to fill this consumer need by allowing the private vendor contracting with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles the option to offer, source, and sell a select range of embossed plates to its customers.

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

C.S.H.B. 2220 amends the Transportation Code to require a contract entered into by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles with a private vendor for the marketing and sale of personalized or specialty license plates to allow the vendor to establish, source, market, and sell a range of premium embossed specialty license plates.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2021.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 2220 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following summarizes the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

The substitute replaces the original's authorization for the contract to allow the vendor to establish, market, and sell the embossed specialty license plates with a requirement for the contract to allow the vendor to do so and also to source the plates.