BILL ANALYSIS

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Honorary consuls are representatives of foreign governments in the United States operating with the authorization of the Office of Foreign Missions (OFM) of the Department of State. Honorary consuls perform ceremonial duties and are not eligible for all privileges and immunities reserved for consular officers. Under Texas law, they are eligible to receive specialty license plates through the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. Due to repeated incidences of abuse and fraud, OFM recommends that state authorities cease issuing honorary consul plates.

S.B. 247 will repeal the statute that authorizes these license plates and will remove the validity of any active honorary consul plates currently on Texas roads. The elimination of honorary consul plates prevents further abuse and fraud.

S.B. 247 amends current law relating to specialty license plates issued for honorary consuls.

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. Amends Section 502.410(b), Transportation Code, to make conforming and nonsubstantive changes relating to the repeal of Section 504.515 (Honorary Consuls), Transportation Code.

SECTION 2. Repealer: Section 504.515 (Honorary Consuls), Transportation Code.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2023.

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