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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating the authorization of digital license plates. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 504.154, Subchapter B-1, Chapter 504, |
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Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows: |
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Sec. 504.154. DIGITAL LICENSE PLATES AUTHORIZED. (a) The |
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board by rule shall allow a vehicle described by Subsection (b) to |
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be equipped with a digital license plate that is placed on the rear |
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of the vehicle in lieu of a physical license plate issued under this |
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chapter. The rule must require the owner of a vehicle issued a |
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digital license plate to obtain a physical license plate to be |
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placed on the front of the vehicle unless the vehicle is of a class |
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of vehicles that is not required to display two license plates, as |
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provided by other law. |
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(b) A vehicle registered under Chapter 502 may be equipped |
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with a digital license plate. [only if the vehicle: |
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(1) is part of a commercial fleet, as defined by |
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Section 502.001; |
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(2) is owned or operated by a governmental entity; or |
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(3) is not a passenger vehicle.] |
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(c) The department may contract with digital license plate |
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providers for the issuance of digital license plates, including any |
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services related to the issuance of digital license plates. |
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(d) Notwithstanding any other law, a rule adopted under this |
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subchapter may: |
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(1) authorize the display of the vehicle's |
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registration insignia on a digital license plate issued for the |
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vehicle in lieu of attaching the registration insignia to the |
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inside of the vehicle's windshield as required by Section 502.059; |
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(2) establish a fee in an amount necessary to cover any |
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administrative costs incurred that relate to the issuance of a |
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digital license plate and exceed the administrative costs incurred |
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for the issuance of a physical license plate; or |
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(3) prohibit a digital license plate provider from |
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contracting with the department under Subchapter J. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |