Q
What does Texas SB1568 do?
SB1568 mandates the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) to issue a new specialty license plate bearing the slogan "Spay. Neuter. Adopt.
SB1568
Regular Session
Relating to the issuance of animal friendly specialty license plates.
LowStandard timeline
Low Cost
Effective:2025-09-01
Enforcing Agencies
Texas Department of Motor Vehicles
01
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 (Dealership systems must recognize the new plate code).
- Agency Rulemaking: TxDMV is required to design the plate and assign a fee structure prior to the effective date. No public comment period is expected for the design phase.
Immediate Action Plan
- Dealerships: Schedule a system update check for late August 2025 to ensure the new plate code is active in your RTS.
- Sales Managers: Issue a memo to F&I staff on September 1, 2025, clarifying the difference between the two animal-related specialty plates now available.
- Non-Profits: Monitor Department of State Health Services (DSHS) announcements in Q4 2025 for potential increases in grant availability due to this new revenue stream.
Operational Changes Required
Contracts
No action required. This legislation does not alter vendor agreements or liability limits.
Hiring/Training
Automotive Dealerships (F&I Dept):
- Differentiation Training: Staff must be trained to distinguish between the existing "Animal Friendly" plate (Subsection a) and this new "Spay. Neuter. Adopt." plate (Subsection a-1). Ordering the wrong plate code will result in processing delays and customer complaints.
Reporting & Record-Keeping
Title Service Companies:
- System Updates: Ensure webDEALER and Registration and Title System (RTS) interfaces are updated to include the new alphanumeric code for this specific plate once released by TxDMV.
Fees & Costs
- Pass-Through Cost: The fee for the plate is paid by the consumer (or fleet operator).
- Revenue Allocation: Fees generated are deposited into the Animal Friendly Account (Health & Safety Code § 828.014) to fund sterilization grants.
Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations
Design and Marketing: The statute mandates the text "Spay. Neuter. Adopt." but leaves the visual design to TxDMV discretion. Non-profit stakeholders and marketing partners cannot finalize promotional materials until TxDMV releases the official plate proof, likely in Summer 2025.
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Legislative Timeline
This bill's path through the Texas Legislature
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Official Analysis
BILL ANALYSIS
| Senate Research Center | S.B. 1568 |
| By: Zaffirini | |
| Transportation | |
| 4/17/2025 | |
| As Filed |
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Companion animal overpopulation is a public health issue in Texas due to warm weather, lack of education on responsible pet ownership, and veterinarian shortages. As a result, many animals roam the streets, suffer injuries, or are euthanized in shelters that lack space and resources. Spay and neuter programs help control the population and reduce disease spread.
Current law funds low-cost spay and neuter services through a grant program supported by sales of an "animal friendly" specialty license plate. This plate, however, does not clearly indicate that proceeds fund spay and neuter efforts, leading to decreased sales and an unstable funding stream. S.B. 1568 would direct the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to expand the selection of license plates and collaborate with the Texas Humane Legislation Network on all designs to ensure they reflect their intended purpose. These changes would increase public awareness, boost participation, and raise funds for sterilization programs-helping to control animal overpopulation, reduce euthanasia rates, and address related public health concerns.
As proposed, S.B. 1568 amends current law relating to the issuance of Animal Friendly specialty license plates.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 504.605(a), Transportation Code, as follows:
(a) Requires the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) to issue specialty license plates including the words "Animal Friendly" and to issue other specialty license plates designed to benefit animal welfare and spay-neuter programs in Texas. Requires TxDMV to design the license plates in consultation with the Texas Humane Legislation Network. Makes a nonsubstantive change.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2025.
House Sponsor
Bill Text(with markup)
| S.B. No. 1568 | ||
|
|
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| relating to the issuance of animal friendly specialty license | ||
| plates. | ||
| BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
| SECTION 1. Section 504.605, Transportation Code, is amended | ||
| by adding Subsection (a-1) and amending Subsection (b) to read as | ||
| follows: | ||
| (a-1) In addition to the license plates required under | ||
| Subsection (a), the department shall issue specialty license plates | ||
| including the words "Spay. Neuter. Adopt." The department shall | ||
| design the license plates. | ||
| (b) After deduction of the department's administrative | ||
| costs, the remainder of the fee for issuance of [ |
||
| under Subsection (a) or (a-1) shall be deposited to the credit of | ||
| the animal friendly account established by Section 828.014, Health | ||
| and Safety Code. | ||
| SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. | ||
| TO: | Honorable Robert Nichols, Chair, Senate Committee on Transportation |
| FROM: | Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | SB1568 by Zaffirini (Relating to the issuance of Animal Friendly 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: | 608 Department of Motor Vehicles |
| LBB Staff: | JMc, AAL, TG |
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Related by Topic
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- HB3135Relating to the issuance of specialty license plates for retired firefighters.
- HB791Relating to the issuance of Central Catholic High School specialty license plates.
- SB1902Relating to the administration of the dealer-issued license plates database and to the removal and transfer of license plates.
Quick Reference
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about SB1568
Q
Who authored SB1568?
SB1568 was authored by Texas Senator Judith Zaffirini during the Regular Session.
Q
When was SB1568 signed into law?
SB1568 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on May 24, 2025.
Q
Which agencies enforce SB1568?
SB1568 is enforced by Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.
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How urgent is compliance with SB1568?
The compliance urgency for SB1568 is rated as "low". Businesses and organizations should review the requirements and timeline to ensure timely compliance.
Q
What is the cost impact of SB1568?
The cost impact of SB1568 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.
Q
What topics does SB1568 address?
SB1568 addresses topics including animals, vehicles & traffic, vehicles & traffic--equipment, license plates and motor vehicles, texas department of.
Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: November 25, 2025
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