BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center C.S.S.B. 2141 89R22534 SRA-F By: Zaffirini Transportation 4/10/2025 Committee Report (Substituted) AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Current law requires specialty license plates issued to state and federal judges to display "State Judge" or "U.S. Judge," providing clear identification. This requirement, however, creates security risks by making judges easily identifiable. Judicial security officials, particularly the United States Marshals Service, have raised concerns that this visibility could make judges more vulnerable to targeting. S.B. 2141 would allow judges to choose a "State Official" plate without a judicial designation. This would give judges three options for their license plates: "State Official" plates issued under this bill without any additional designation, "State Official" plates displaying "State Judge" or "U.S. Judge," or standard Texas license plates. Regardless of the chosen plate, law enforcement would still be able to identify the vehicle as belonging to a state official when run through the Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunication System (TLETS). This bill would provide judges with more choices while improving judicial security and maintaining law enforcement's ability to identify official vehicles. (Original Author's/Sponsor's Statement of Intent) C.S.S.B. 2141 amends current law relating to the issuance of specialty license plates to state and federal judges. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Reenacts Section 504.403, Transportation Code, as amended by Chapter 1296 (H.B. 2357), Acts of the 82nd Legislature, Regular Session, 2011, and repealed by Chapter 1290 (H.B. 2017), Acts of the 82nd Legislature, Regular Session, 2011, and amends it, as follows: Sec. 504.403. STATE AND FEDERAL JUDGES. (a) Creates an exception under Subsection (b). (b) Authorizes a person entitled to license plates under this section to elect to receive license plates that do not include the words "State Judge" or "U.S. Judge." (c) Redesignates existing Subsection (d) as Subsection (c). Makes nonsubstantive changes. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center C.S.S.B. 2141
89R22534 SRA-F By: Zaffirini
Transportation
4/10/2025
Committee Report (Substituted)
Senate Research Center
C.S.S.B. 2141
89R22534 SRA-F
By: Zaffirini
Transportation
4/10/2025
Committee Report (Substituted)
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Current law requires specialty license plates issued to state and federal judges to display "State Judge" or "U.S. Judge," providing clear identification. This requirement, however, creates security risks by making judges easily identifiable. Judicial security officials, particularly the United States Marshals Service, have raised concerns that this visibility could make judges more vulnerable to targeting.
S.B. 2141 would allow judges to choose a "State Official" plate without a judicial designation. This would give judges three options for their license plates: "State Official" plates issued under this bill without any additional designation, "State Official" plates displaying "State Judge" or "U.S. Judge," or standard Texas license plates. Regardless of the chosen plate, law enforcement would still be able to identify the vehicle as belonging to a state official when run through the Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunication System (TLETS). This bill would provide judges with more choices while improving judicial security and maintaining law enforcement's ability to identify official vehicles.
(Original Author's/Sponsor's Statement of Intent)
C.S.S.B. 2141 amends current law relating to the issuance of specialty license plates to state and federal judges.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Reenacts Section 504.403, Transportation Code, as amended by Chapter 1296 (H.B. 2357), Acts of the 82nd Legislature, Regular Session, 2011, and repealed by Chapter 1290 (H.B. 2017), Acts of the 82nd Legislature, Regular Session, 2011, and amends it, as follows:
Sec. 504.403. STATE AND FEDERAL JUDGES. (a) Creates an exception under Subsection (b).
(b) Authorizes a person entitled to license plates under this section to elect to receive license plates that do not include the words "State Judge" or "U.S. Judge."
(c) Redesignates existing Subsection (d) as Subsection (c). Makes nonsubstantive changes.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.