88R7387 DIO-D By: Hinojosa, Shaheen, Morales of Harris, H.B. No. 1778 Jones of Harris, Bucy A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the issuance of specialty license plates to certain professional sports teams. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 504.614(a), Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) The department may issue specialty license plates that include the name and insignia of a professional sports team located in this state. The department shall design the license plates in consultation with the professional sports team and may enter a trademark license with the professional sports team or its league to implement this section. A license plate may be issued under this section only for a professional sports team that: (1) certifies to the department that the requirements of Section 504.702 are met; and (2) plays its home games in a facility: (A) constructed or operated, in whole or in part, with public funds; or (B) owned, in whole or in part, by a public entity. SECTION 2. Section 504.614(c)(2), Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows: (2) "Professional sports team" means a sports team that is a member or an affiliate of a member of the National Football League, National Basketball Association, [or] National Hockey League, Major League Soccer, or a major league baseball team. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.