HBA-MPA H.B. 2760 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2760
By: Moreno, Joe
Transportation
4/11/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Subchapter F (Specializes License Plates; Exemptions for Privately Owned
Vehicles), Chapter 502, Transportation Code, permits the Texas Department
of Transportation (TxDOT) to issue specialized license plates, some of
which commemorate groups that have made special contributions to the state
and nation.  Persons who have served in the merchant marine of the United
States have never been honored by the state of Texas in this way.  The
merchant marine has played an active role in the United States wars and
military conflicts, and a vital part in American and Texas history.  H.B.
2760 authorizes TxDOT to issue specially designed license plates honoring
the merchant marine and sets forth procedures for doing so. 

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 F, Chapter 502, Transportation Code, by
adding Section 502.2581, as follows: 

Sec. 502.2581.  PERSONS RETIRED FROM SERVICE IN MERCHANT MARINE OF THE
UNITED STATES. (a) Requires the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)
to issue specially designed license plates for passenger cars and light
trucks owned by persons who served in the merchant marine of the United
States and as part of the service assisted the activities of the United
States during a war or other military conflict. 

(b) Provides that license plates issued under this section must be of a
color, quality, and design approved by TxDOT. 

(c) Requires TxDOT to issue license plates under this section to a person
who applies on a form prescribed by the department, and submits proof
eligibility. 

(d) Authorizes a person to be issued only one set of license plates and is
entitled to only one exemption from the fee under Section 502.161 (Fee:
Passenger Car, Municipal Bus, Private Bus). 

(e) Requires an owner who disposes of a vehicle registered under this
section during the registration year to return the special license plates
to TxDOT.  Authorizes the owner to then apply for issuance of those plates
to another vehicle. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.