84R11187 JTS-F
By: Alonzo H.B. No. 4082
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to license plates for certain vehicles used to provide
passenger transportation services for compensation; creating a
criminal offense.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter F, Chapter 504, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 504.517 to read as follows:
Sec. 504.517. REQUIRED LICENSE PLATES FOR RIDE-FOR-HIRE
MOTOR VEHICLE. (a) In this section, "ride-for-hire motor vehicle"
means a motor vehicle that:
(1) is designed to carry not more than eight
passengers; and
(2) is licensed or registered with a municipality to
provide passenger transportation services for compensation.
(b) The department shall issue specialty license plates for
ride-for-hire motor vehicles. License plates issued under this
section must include the words "taxi," "livery," "ride-for-hire
vehicle," or other municipal designation, as appropriate.
(c) A ride-for-hire motor vehicle providing passenger
transportation services shall display license plates issued under
this section.
SECTION 2. Subchapter L, Chapter 504, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 504.949 to read as follows:
Sec. 504.949. RIDE-FOR-HIRE VEHICLES. A person commits an
offense if the person operates a vehicle in violation of Section
504.517(c). An offense under this section is a misdemeanor
punishable by a fine of not more than $200.
SECTION 3. (a) The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles shall
make available the license plates described by Section 504.517,
Transportation Code, as added by this Act, not later than January 1,
2016.
(b) Section 504.517, Transportation Code, as added by this
Act, applies only to the operation of a vehicle used to provide
passenger transportation services on or after March 1, 2016.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2015.