HBA-NRS H.B. 15 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 15
By: Corte
Transportation
4/5/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Current law requires the Texas Department of Transportation to issue
specially designed license plates for motorcycles, passenger cars, and
light trucks regularly operated for noncommercial use by or for the
transportation of a person with a permanent disability. The law defines a
light truck as having a manufacturer's rated carrying capacity of one ton
or less. Certain vehicles such as recreational vehicles (RVs) are excluded
from receiving license plates for people with permanent disabilities
because they weigh more than one ton. Yet, there are permanently disabled
persons who utilize RVs for traveling. House Bill 15 require the Texas
Department of Transportation to provide for the issuance of specially
designed license plates for all motor vehicles regularly operated for
noncommercial use by or for the transportation of a person with a permanent
disability. 

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 15 amends the Transportation Code to require the Texas
Department of Transportation to provide for the issuance of specially
designed license plates for motor vehicles, rather than motorcycles,
passenger cars, and light trucks, regularly operated for noncommercial use
by or for the transportation of a person with a permanent disability. The
bill also provides that a person entitled to register such a vehicle is
entitled to a set of special license plates for each motor vehicle, rather
than a motorcycle, passenger car, or light truck, owned by the person that
is equipped with certain special equipment. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.