85R578 AAF-D
By: Gonzales of Williamson H.B. No. 276
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the number of license plates to be issued for and
displayed on certain motor vehicles.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 504, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Section 504.011 to read as follows:
Sec. 504.011. ISSUANCE AND DISPLAY OF LICENSE PLATE FOR
PASSENGER CAR OR LIGHT TRUCK. (a) Notwithstanding anything in this
code to the contrary, the department shall issue only one license
plate for attachment at the rear of a passenger car or light truck
for which the plate is issued.
(b) Notwithstanding anything in this code to the contrary, a
person is entitled to operate on a public highway a passenger car or
light truck that displays only one license plate if the plate is
attached at the rear of the vehicle. A person may operate on a
public highway a passenger car or light truck that displays two
license plates if both plates were assigned by the department for
the registration period as a set of plates.
(c) In any provision of this code that relates to the
issuance or display of "license plates," "plates," or a "set of
plates" for a passenger car or light truck, the term means only one
license plate.
SECTION 2. Section 504.943, Transportation Code, is amended
by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (f) to read as
follows:
(b) A person commits an offense if the person operates on a
public highway during a registration period a passenger car, light
truck, road tractor, motorcycle, trailer, or semitrailer that does
not display a license plate that:
(1) has been assigned by the department for the
period; and
(2) complies with department rules regarding the
placement of license plates.
(f) In this section, "light truck" and "passenger car" have
the meanings assigned by Section 541.201.
SECTION 3. The change in law made by this Act regarding the
issuance of license plates by the Texas Department of Motor
Vehicles applies only to the issuance of license plates by the
department for a registration period beginning on or after the
effective date of this Act. For a registration period that begins
before the effective date of this Act, the department shall issue
license plates as required by the law in effect immediately before
the effective date of this Act, and the former law is continued in
effect for that purpose.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.