HB 1607 Texas House · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to license plates and license plate windshield insignia issued for and displayed on a vehicle; authorizing a fee; creating a criminal offense.

HB 1607 allows passenger cars and light trucks not manufactured with a front plate mount to display only a rear license plate instead of two plates. It requires these vehicles to display a license plate windshield insignia (a sticker-like device) in the front windshield and authorizes a fee for this insignia. The bill creates a criminal offense for operators who fail to comply with these requirements, such as not carrying the unmounted rear plate or not displaying the insignia. This directly affects vehicle owners of newer models lacking front mounting points, changing plate display rules while adding a new fee and enforcement mechanism.

Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

May 2025

House Passage

Apr 2025

Senate Passage

Governor

Introduced Mar 12, 2025 Last action May 22, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced → Engrossed · 5 edits · Apr 24, 2025

MODERATE

This bill updates Texas Transportation Code provisions related to license plates and windshield insignias, primarily clarifying rules for vehicles that display only a rear license plate and adding a new subsection for enforcement of windshield insignia requirements.

Scope change

The bill expands enforcement provisions by adding a new subsection (a-1) that specifically addresses violations related to windshield insignia display, and adds corresponding court dismissal provisions (d-1) for these violations.

ENFORCEMENT

Added new subsection (a-1) creating an offense for operating a passenger car or light truck with only a rear license plate and windshield insignia without having the unmounted license plate in possession or failing to produce it when requested by a peace officer.

Added new subsection (d-1) allowing courts to dismiss charges under subsection (a-1) if the defendant produces the unmounted license plate in court and pays a reimbursement fee not to exceed $10.

Added new subsection (f) prohibiting peace officers from stopping or detaining a vehicle solely to enforce subsection (a-1) if the windshield insignia is properly assigned and complies with department rules.

REQUIREMENT

Modified Section 504.943 heading to include 'LICENSE PLATE WINDSHIELD INSIGNIA' in the title for clarity.

TIMELINE

Added Section 7 establishing September 1, 2025 as the effective date for this Act.

Floor votes · House Apr 23, 2025

How they voted

127–17

Passed · 1 other

Total votes 145

Apr 23, 2025

D Democratic59

58 Yea 1 Nay

98% Yea

R Republican86

69 Yea 16 Nay 1

80% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 22, 2025

Upper · Passed

Left pending in committee

upper

May 22, 2025

Upper · Passed

Testimony taken in committee

upper

May 16, 2025

Committee

Referred to Criminal Justice

upper

May 16, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

upper

Apr 24, 2025

Introduced

Received from the House

upper

Apr 24, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed

lower

Apr 23, 2025

Lower · Passed

Passed to engrossment

lower

Apr 8, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report sent to Calendars

lower

Apr 8, 2025

Lower · Passed

Committee report distributed

lower

Mar 27, 2025

Lower · Passed

Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)

lower

Mar 20, 2025

Lower · Passed

Left pending in committee

lower

Mar 20, 2025

Lower · Passed

Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee

lower

Mar 12, 2025

Committee

Referred to Transportation

lower

Mar 12, 2025

Introduced

Read first time

lower

3 primary · 0 co-sponsors