H.B. No. 1778
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.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1778 was passed by the House on May 6,
2023, by the following vote: Yeas 113, Nays 21, 2 present, not
voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
I certify that H.B. No. 1778 was passed by the Senate on May
19, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
APPROVED: _____________________
Date
_____________________
Governor