HBA-DMH H.B. 1381 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1381 By: Dunnam Transportation 4/4/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, there are approximately 1,200 incorporated cities represented by more than seven thousand locally elected mayors, council persons, and commissioners. It seems appropriate to recognize the municipal officials of these cities and townships who spend hundreds of hours working for the betterment of their communities. Currently, many state and county officials receive similar license plates for their public service. House Bill 1381 requires the Texas Department of Transportation to design and provide for the issuance to members of the governing body of a municipality of special license plates bearing the words "City Official." 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. ANALYSIS House Bill 1381 amends the Transportation Code to require the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to design and provide for issuance special license plates bearing the words "City Official" for passenger cars and light trucks that are owned by members of the governing body of a municipality. The bill requires TxDOT to issue the license plates to a person that completes the specified application process and pays the prescribed fees. The bill sets forth provisions for vehicle registration, the return of license plates, and obtaining replacement license plates. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.