87R2066 BEE-D     By: Metcalf H.B. No. 1199       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the number of license plates to be issued for and   displayed on certain 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 FOR   PASSENGER CAR OR LIGHT TRUCK.  (a) Notwithstanding anything in this   code to the contrary, the department shall issue only one license   plate for attachment at the rear of a passenger car or light truck   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 passenger car or   light truck 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 passenger car or light truck 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" for a passenger car or light truck, the term means only one   license plate.          SECTION 2.  Section 504.943(b), Transportation Code, is   amended 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.          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. For a registration period that begins   before the effective date of this Act, the department shall issue   license plates as required by the law in effect immediately before   the effective date of this Act, and the former law is continued in   effect for that purpose.          SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.