HBA-MPA, PDH H.B. 1319 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1319 By: Keel Transportation 4/20/1999 Committee Report (Amended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE It is necessary for law enforcement officers to have a clear and unobstructed view of the license plates on every vehicle traveling Texas roads. The use of devices that are attached to or entirely cover license plates has proliferated, in many cases making it difficult or impossible to correctly read some or all of the letters, numbers, characters, or symbols on license plates. H.B. 1319 prohibits any device or material from obstructing the clear view of the license plate according to certain standards. This bill would not prohibit the attachment of decorative or advertising devices on license plates. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter H, Chapter 502, Transportation Code, by adding Section 502.4091, as follows: Sec. 502.4091. OBSTRUCTED LICENSE PLATE. Provides that a person commits a misdemeanor offense punishable by a fine of not more than $200 if the person operates, or as the owner permits another to operate, on a public highway a motor vehicle that has any device or material on the vehicle's license plate that obstructs the clear view of the license plate or comes closer than one-quarter inch to any number, letter, character, or other writing or symbol on the license plate. SECTION 2.Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 3.Emergency clause. EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS Amendment #1 The amendment adds a new Subsection (b) to the proposed Section 502.4091, Transportation Code, which provides that it is not a violation of this section for a person to operate or, as owner, permit another to operate a vehicle that has on the vehicle's license plate a device or material that bears the business name or logotype of a dealer licensed by the Texas Motor Vehicle Commission under the Texas Motor Vehicle Commission Code. Makes conforming changes.