HB791

Regular Session

Relating to the issuance of Central Catholic High School specialty license plates.

LowStandard timeline

Low Cost

Effective:2025-09-01

Enforcing Agencies

Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV)

Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

Effective Date: September 1, 2025
Compliance Deadline: September 1, 2025 (Dealers must be ready to process requests, though physical plate availability typically lags 3-6 months).
Agency Rulemaking: TxDMV will engage in internal rulemaking regarding design finalization and fee scheduling immediately following the effective date. Expect the specific inventory code to be released in late Q4 2025.

Immediate Action Plan

Immediate: Notify your title department managers that a new specialty plate code will be issued post-September 1.
September 2025: Monitor TxDMV bulletins for the specific alphanumeric code assigned to the Central Catholic High School plate.
Q4 2025: Update F&I "menu" presentations to include this option if your dealership has a high volume of Central Catholic alumni clientele.
Ongoing: Audit marketing scripts to ensure sales staff are not misrepresenting the fee as a charitable contribution to the school.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

No changes required for standard automotive sales contracts.

Note for the Named Entity: Central Catholic High School must execute an intellectual property licensing agreement with TxDMV to authorize the use of the logo and the slogan "With Loyal Hearts" on state property.

Hiring/Training

Finance & Insurance (F&I) Departments:

Brief title clerks and F&I managers on the availability of this plate.
Critical Training Point: Staff must be instructed NOT to market this plate as a fundraiser. Unlike other specialty plates, the statute directs proceeds to the State General Revenue Fund, not the school. Marketing this as a "donation" creates liability for deceptive trade practices.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

Forms: Processing utilizes the existing Form VTR-999 (Application for Specialty License Plates).
Systems: Update webDEALER or third-party title processing software to recognize the new plate code once published by TxDMV.

Fees & Costs

Consumer Cost: The fee defaults to the statutory standard (typically $30/year) in addition to regular registration fees.
Business Cost: Zero. There are no dealer surcharges associated with this plate.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

Design vs. Legibility: The statute mandates specific placement of the logo (left side) and slogan (bottom). However, TxDMV retains statutory authority to reject designs that interfere with Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR). If the school's design fails legibility tests, the agency will override the statutory description during the rulemaking phase.
Production Delays: While the law is effective September 1, TxDMV manufacturing queues are currently impacted by material supply chains. Businesses should manage customer expectations regarding delivery times, which may extend into 2026.

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Information presented is for general knowledge only and is provided without warranty, express or implied. Consult qualified government affairs professionals and legal counsel before making compliance decisions.

Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

TopicsVehicles & Traffic Vehicles & Traffic--vehicle Registration License Plates Motor Vehicles, Texas Department of Fees & Other Nontax Revenue Fees & Other Nontax Revenue--state

Official Analysis

View HRO Analysis View All Bill Documents

BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 791

By: Cortez

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The bill author has informed the committee that students and alumni of Central Catholic High School (CCHS) in the City of San Antonio would like the opportunity to purchase specialty license plates that recognize their connection to CCHS. H.B. 791 seeks to address this by providing for the issuance of these specialty license plates.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 791 amends the Transportation Code to require the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) to issue specialty license plates that include the words "With Loyal Hearts" on the bottom of each plate and the logo of Central Catholic High School on the left side of each plate. The bill requires TxDMV to design the plates in consultation with a representative of Central Catholic High School in San Antonio. The bill dedicates the remainder of the applicable fee for issuance of the license plates, after deduction of TxDMV's administrative costs, to the credit of the general revenue fund.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2025.

House Authors

Rep. Philip CortezDemocrat · Primary Author

Senate Sponsor

Sen. Jose MenendezDemocrat · Primary Sponsor

Bill Text(with markup)

H.B. No. 791

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

	AN ACT
	relating to the issuance of Central Catholic High School specialty
	license plates.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1. Subchapter G, Chapter 504, Transportation Code,
	is amended by adding Section 504.683 to read as follows:
	Sec. 504.683. CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL LICENSE PLATES.
	(a) The department shall issue specialty license plates that
	include the words "With Loyal Hearts" on the bottom of each plate
	and the logo of Central Catholic High School on the left side of
	each plate. The department shall design the plates in consultation
	with a representative of Central Catholic High School in San
	Antonio.
	(b) After deduction of the department's administrative
	costs, the remainder of the fee for issuance of the license plates
	shall be deposited to the credit of the general revenue fund.
	SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 89TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION


April 1, 2025

TO:	Honorable Tom Craddick, Chair, House Committee on Transportation

FROM:	Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board

IN RE:	HB791 by Cortez (Relating to the issuance of Central Catholic High School specialty license plates.), As Introduced

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

It is assumed that any costs associated with the bill could be absorbed using existing resources andany revenue implications associated with the bill would be insignificant.

Local Government Impact

No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 608 Department of Motor Vehicles

LBB Staff:

JMc, AAL, TG

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about HB791

What does Texas HB791 do?

HB791 mandates the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) to issue a new specialty license plate for Central Catholic High School. While this legislation imposes no mandatory burden on the general market, automotive dealerships and title service companies—particularly in the San Antonio region—must update registration systems to process this new inventory code. Implementation Timeline Effective Date: September 1, 2025 Compliance Deadline: September 1, 2025 (Dealers must be ready to process requests, though physical plate availability typically lags 3-6 months).

Who authored HB791?

HB791 was authored by Texas Representative Philip Cortez during the Regular Session.

When was HB791 signed into law?

HB791 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 20, 2025.

Which agencies enforce HB791?

HB791 is enforced by Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV).

How urgent is compliance with HB791?

The compliance urgency for HB791 is rated as "low". Businesses and organizations should review the requirements and timeline to ensure timely compliance.

What is the cost impact of HB791?

The cost impact of HB791 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

What topics does HB791 address?

HB791 addresses topics including vehicles & traffic, vehicles & traffic--vehicle registration, license plates, motor vehicles, texas department of and fees & other nontax revenue.

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: November 25, 2025

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