By: Hinojosa, et al. (Senate Sponsor - Alvarado) H.B. No. 1778
(In the Senate - Received from the House May 8, 2023;
May 9, 2023, read first time and referred to Committee on
Transportation; May 17, 2023, reported favorably by the following
vote: Yeas 9, Nays 0; May 17, 2023, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
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.
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