That will be great for Texas C6 owners since there’s really no place to put a front plate on without it looking like a stick on mustache. – C.

 

[QUOTE=Ron H]One catch included in the bill, is an increase in regisration costs. QUOTE]

It sounds like Ohio. They are going to charge you more for less.

 

Motorists would no longer need a license plate on their front bumpers under a broad-based cost-saving and revenue bill adopted Wednesday by the Texas House of Representatives.

House Bill 3540, by state Rep. Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, establishes a broad range of new fees and cost-cutting measures. It passed on a 107-37 vote. All told, the legislation would raise nearly $1 billion over the state's two-year budget cycle, according to Pitts, who heads the House Appropriations Committee.

Pitts said the added revenue is needed to balance the state's $66.2 billion budget for the upcoming two years. "It's a great day for Texas -- it helps us fund our budget," Pitts said.

Under one provision, the Texas Department of Transportation would issue motorists a single plate, which would go on the rear of vehicles. Currently, the state issues two license plates that go and the front and back.

Other changes include:

• HB 3540 would increase the vehicle registration fee for some motorists with older vehicles. That provision raises more than $100 million over the two-year budget cycle.

• It would amend the tax code so that chief tax appraisers would no longer have to accept or deny applications for residential homestead exemptions after the application deadline has passed.

• It calls for a study on how to increase revenue from the sale of lottery tickets.

• The Health and Human Services Commission would be authorized, under certain circumstances, to enter into a joint purchasing agreement with other states to get cheaper drugs for the Medicaid program, the Children's Health Insurance Program, and similar programs, according to an official government analysis.

• It would allow for a new "quality assurance fee" to be charged to nursing homes, which would be prohibited from listing it as a separate charge on a patient's billing statements, according to a government analysis. Nursing homes could be reimbursed for the fee under the state Medicaid program.

• On a vote of 79-55, lawmakers also established a new tax on cigarette manufacturers who were not involved in a multibillion-dollar legal settlement with the state over the harmful effects of tobacco.

• On a vote of 89-52, lawmakers shot down a proposal by state Rep. Sylvester Turner, D-Houston, that would have allowed Texans to purchase lottery tickets online. That measure would have added about $500 million to state coffers over the two-year budget cycle, and generated some of the most heated debate.

All told, lawmakers considered nearly 50 amendments during a debate that lasted several hours. HB 3540 goes up for a final vote in the House today, and then to the Senate.

 

Excellent news!! Fortunately I haven't been caught.

 

Here is what I sent Kyle Janek, a fellow aggie. Go to http://www.state.tx.us/ to find out your senator's email address:

I am writing to you as a consituent in your district asking for your support of HB 3540, and any Senate version of it. Within that bill, Article 9 calls for the reduction in license plates from 2 to 1. I ask for your full support for this change and all changes within Article 9 of that Bill. Reducing the number of plates to 1 not only saves the state expenses for production and administration of 2 plates, but also has great impact in reducing license plate thefts. As the DMV had wisely moved the registration stickers from the rear plate to the inside windows several years back to reduce theft, I hope our legislators can follow that wisdom here as well. As for advocates such as law enforcement agencies claiming public safety benefits for having front plates, I would point out that plate numbers are mostly read from the rear as it is physically more difficult to read from an approaching car. Camera systems designed to capture license plate numbers such as in toll booths and security gates, are all positioned to capture rear plates as well. In addition, an added benefit to consider is that in states where front plates are optional, car owners purchase decorative plates to put in its place. This of course means increased state revenues and tax dollars...a win-win situation for both states and residents!

 

for too many years in a variety of sport cars and convertibles including the past 6 years in 2 different C5's

still not as bad as one of my great uncles who was a pony express rider and hung for stealing horses

 

SAAAAWWEEEEEEETT!!!

 

Illinois too.

 

I wonder if there is any way to propagate the sentiment to the Maryland house/senate???

 

Should have known, the minute I move out of Texas, they change the law

Congratulations to my family and the rest of the Texans

 

Anyone have an idea how much registration will go up?? mines due in July, just curious?

 

They did not say what the increase would be.

 

That's cool, funny thing is I haven't had time to pay my taxes on my newly purchased c5 from Arizona shipped to Dallas, so I have been driving around Dallas with absolutely no license plates for exactly two months now!

 

Maryland as well. It comes up for legislation every year and every year, the State Police lobby and it's voted down. Total BS!

 

thats cool for you guys..

 

Read Article 10. The bill states that yearly registration will be going up to $58.50.

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/cgi-b...RSION=2&TYPE=B

 

Great news

 

Does anyone know when this law takes effect?

 

If passed it would take effect 1 Sept 05, so read into what you want but all plates (Plate) issued after that date will require rear display. If you were issued 2 plates they still require you to display both. Once the law is changed I don't think they will go after anyone without a front plate, however, there are ways around it. Go get vanity plates (plate) issued on Sept 1.

 

HURRAY!!!! Everyone P-A-R-T-Y