Obscured plates
Talk about your unintended consequences. A few weeks ago, everyone figured out that decorative license plates were illegal - technically - according to Texas law if they even partially obscure one letter of the state. Instantly, a bunch of lawmakers turned into scofflaws. For the first time EVER, I'm guessing.
Anyway, Rep. Harold Dutton's got a bill clarifying that law that got a hearing in the House Transportation Committee Tuesday morning. Chairman Mike Krusee is on board with the bill (there are a couple of versions out there, so he doens't know which one the panel wants to go with yet) and says it's likely to pass out of his committee next week.
People are being punished, he says, for "inconsequential actions, and we need to rectify that."
Now, I suppose its up to each individual Texan to decide if a bright neon purple flashing frame around a license plate is "inconsequential" - or just plain obnoxious. But as long as you can still tell that the car is from Texas, lawmakers say it shouldn't be illegal.
Comments
Well I'll tell you something - I think I struck a chord with the Department of Public Safety - they're still trying to contact me. I suspect they'll now claim that they don't treat members of the legislature differently EXCEPT that members are immune to most enforcement when they're attending session. The legislature should lift that privilege as it relates to the license plate obscurement law. It's only fair.
Posted by: Kevin Handy | February 27, 2007 12:25 PM
several years ago, Texas was complimented about the classy clean look of our plates. If the plate holder covers up the "clown" plate we currently use, great.
Posted by: R.E. Smith | February 28, 2007 4:06 PM