83R4379 VOO-D
 
  By: Lavender H.B. No. 657
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the number of license plates to be issued for and
  displayed on motor vehicles.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.   Subchapter A, Chapter 504, Transportation Code,
  is amended by adding Section 504.011 to read as follows:
         Sec. 504.011.  ISSUANCE AND DISPLAY OF LICENSE PLATE.  (a)
  Notwithstanding anything in this code to the contrary, the
  department shall issue only one license plate for attachment at the
  rear of the vehicle for which the plate is issued.
         (b)  Notwithstanding anything in this code to the contrary, a
  person is entitled to operate on a public highway a vehicle that
  displays only one license plate if the plate is attached at the rear
  of the vehicle.  A person may operate on a public highway a vehicle
  that displays two license plates if both plates were assigned by the
  department for the registration period as a set of plates.
         (c)  In any provision of this code that relates to the
  issuance or display of "license plates," "plates," or a "set of
  plates," the term means only one license plate.
         SECTION 2.  Section 504.943, Transportation Code, is amended
  by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (e) to read as
  follows:
         (b)  A person commits an offense if the person operates on a
  public highway during a registration period a passenger car, light
  truck, road tractor, motorcycle, trailer, or semitrailer that does
  not display a license plate that:
               (1)  has been assigned by the department for the
  period; and
               (2)  complies with department rules regarding the
  placement of license plates.
         (e)  In this section, "light truck" and "passenger car" have
  the meanings assigned by Section 541.201.
         SECTION 3.  The change in law made by this Act regarding the
  issuance of license plates by the Texas Department of Motor
  Vehicles applies only to the issuance of license plates by the
  department for a registration period beginning on or after the
  effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.