H.B. No. 505
 
 
 
AN ACT
  relating to specialty license plates for certain vehicles
  transporting agricultural products, drilling equipment, or
  construction equipment.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 501.036(a), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter,
  the department may issue a certificate of title for a farm
  semitrailer with a gross weight of more than 4,000 pounds if:
               (1)  the farm semitrailer is eligible for registration
  under Section 504.504 [502.276]; and
               (2)  all other requirements for issuance of a
  certificate of title are met.
         SECTION 2.  Section 502.167(g), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (g)  This section does not apply to:
               (1)  a combination of vehicles that includes a vehicle
  that has a distinguishing license plate under Section 504.504
  [502.276];
               (2)  a truck-tractor or commercial motor vehicle
  registered or to be registered with $5 distinguishing license
  plates for which the vehicle is eligible under this chapter;
               (3)  a truck-tractor or commercial motor vehicle used
  exclusively in combination with a semitrailer of the housetrailer
  type; or
               (4)  a vehicle registered or to be registered:
                     (A)  with a temporary registration permit;
                     (B)  under Section 502.163; or
                     (C)  under Section 502.188 [502.278].
         SECTION 3.  Section 502.180(h), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (h)  The registration insignia for validation of a license
  plate shall be attached to the rear license plate of the vehicle, if
  the vehicle is:
               (1)  a motorcycle;
               (2)  machinery used exclusively to drill water wells or
  construction machinery for which a distinguishing license plate has
  been issued under Section 504.504 [502.276]; or
               (3)  oil well servicing, oil clean out, or oil well
  drilling machinery or equipment for which a distinguishing license
  plate has been issued under Subchapter G, Chapter 623.
         SECTION 4.  Section 547.304(a), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  A provision of this chapter that requires a vehicle to
  be equipped with fixed electric lights does not apply to a farm
  trailer or fertilizer trailer registered under Section 504.504
  [502.276] or a boat trailer with a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or
  less if the trailer is not operated at a time or under a condition
  specified by Section 547.302(a).
         SECTION 5.  Section 623.144, Transportation Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 623.144.  REGISTRATION OF VEHICLE.  A permit under this
  subchapter may be issued only if the vehicle is registered under
  Chapter 502 for the maximum gross weight applicable to the vehicle
  under Section 621.101 or has the distinguishing license plates as
  provided by Section 504.504 [502.276] if applicable to the vehicle.
         SECTION 6.  Section 623.149(a), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The department may establish criteria to determine
  whether oil well servicing, oil well clean out, or oil well drilling
  machinery or equipment is subject to registration under Chapter 502
  or eligible for the distinguishing license plate provided by
  Section 504.504 [502.276].
         SECTION 7.  Section 623.194, Transportation Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         Sec. 623.194.  REGISTRATION OF VEHICLE.  A permit under this
  subchapter may be issued only if the vehicle to be moved is
  registered under Chapter 502 for the maximum gross weight
  applicable to the vehicle under Section 621.101 or has the
  distinguishing license plates as provided by Section 504.504
  [502.276] if applicable to the vehicle.
         SECTION 8.  Section 623.199(a), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  The department may establish criteria to determine
  whether an unladen lift equipment motor vehicle that because of its
  design for use as lift equipment exceeds the maximum weight and
  width limitations prescribed by statute is subject to registration
  under Chapter 502 or eligible for the distinguishing license plate
  provided by Section 504.504 [502.276].
         SECTION 9.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
  a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
  provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
  Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
  Act takes effect September 1, 2007.
 
 
  ______________________________ ______________________________
     President of the Senate Speaker of the House     
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 505 was passed by the House on March
  22, 2007, by the following vote:  Yeas 146, Nays 0, 1 present, not
  voting.
 
  ______________________________
  Chief Clerk of the House   
 
 
         I certify that H.B. No. 505 was passed by the Senate on May
  15, 2007, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.
 
  ______________________________
  Secretary of the Senate    
  APPROVED:  _____________________
                     Date          
   
            _____________________
                   Governor