87R7359 TYPED
By: Paxton S.B. No. 490
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating the authorization of digital license plates.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 504.154, Subchapter B-1, Chapter 504,
Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 504.154. DIGITAL LICENSE PLATES AUTHORIZED. (a) The
board by rule shall allow a vehicle described by Subsection (b) to
be equipped with a digital license plate that is placed on the rear
of the vehicle in lieu of a physical license plate issued under this
chapter. The rule must require the owner of a vehicle issued a
digital license plate to obtain a physical license plate to be
placed on the front of the vehicle unless the vehicle is of a class
of vehicles that is not required to display two license plates, as
provided by other law.
(b) A vehicle registered under Chapter 502 may be equipped
with a digital license plate. [only if the vehicle:
(1) is part of a commercial fleet, as defined by
Section 502.001;
(2) is owned or operated by a governmental entity; or
(3) is not a passenger vehicle.]
(c) The department may contract with digital license plate
providers for the issuance of digital license plates, including any
services related to the issuance of digital license plates.
(d) Notwithstanding any other law, a rule adopted under this
subchapter may:
(1) authorize the display of the vehicle's
registration insignia on a digital license plate issued for the
vehicle in lieu of attaching the registration insignia to the
inside of the vehicle's windshield as required by Section 502.059;
(2) establish a fee in an amount necessary to cover any
administrative costs incurred that relate to the issuance of a
digital license plate and exceed the administrative costs incurred
for the issuance of a physical license plate; or
(3) prohibit a digital license plate provider from
contracting with the department under Subchapter J.
SECTION 2. 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, 2021.