HBA-DMH H.B. 428 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 428
By: Morrison
Transportation
4/5/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, recipients of the distinguished Purple Heart Award are eligible
to obtain special license plates acknowledging their services and
sacrifices for their country. The charge for the first set of plates is $3,
and each set for an additional vehicle is $15. In addition, the first
vehicle registered with the plates is exempt from the standard vehicle
registration fee. House Bill 428 removes the annual vehicle registration
fee exemption and provides that the fee for each additional set of Purple
Heart license plates is equal to the applicable annual vehicle registration
fee for that vehicle. 

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 428 amends the Transportation Code to require the Texas
Department of Transportation to charge the applicable annual vehicle
registration fee for a second or subsequent set of Purple Heart license
plates issued to Purple Heart recipients.  The bill also removes the
exemption from the annual vehicle registration fee offered to a person
registering one or more vehicles. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.