By: Hinojosa, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Alvarado) H.B. No. 1778

(In the Senate - Received from the House May 8, 2023; May 9, 2023, read first time and referred to Committee on Transportation; May 17, 2023, reported favorably by the following vote: Yeas 9, Nays 0; May 17, 2023, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the issuance of specialty license plates to certain professional sports teams.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 504.614(a), Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) The department may issue specialty license plates that include the name and insignia of a professional sports team located in this state. The department shall design the license plates in consultation with the professional sports team and may enter a trademark license with the professional sports team or its league to implement this section. A license plate may be issued under this section only for a professional sports team that:

(1) certifies to the department that the requirements of Section 504.702 are met; and

(2) plays its home games in a facility:

(A) constructed or operated, in whole or in part, with public funds; or

(B) owned, in whole or in part, by a public entity.

SECTION 2. Section 504.614(c)(2), Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

(2) "Professional sports team" means a sports team that is a member or an affiliate of a member of the National Football League, National Basketball Association, [or] National Hockey League, Major League Soccer, or a major league baseball team.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.

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