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Signed Into Law
Signed June 20, 2025Effective 2025-09-01
SB2001

Regular Session

Relating to the registration of vehicles, the issuance of disabled parking placards, and certain benefits associated with that registration or issuance for certain peace officers with disabilities; authorizing a fee.

Government Affairs & Regulatory Compliance Analysis

SB2001: Government Affairs Overview

SB2001 mandates the creation of a new "Disabled Peace Officer" (DPO) license plate category effective September 1, 2025, granting these vehicles specific exemptions from vehicle registration fees, governmental parking meter fees, and toll charges. Law enforcement agencies must immediately establish protocols for certifying former officers' line-of-duty injuries, while parking and toll operators must update enforcement algorithms and billing systems to prevent wrongful towing or billing of this new protected class.

Phil King·Senate Bill·Regular Session

Moderate
Low Cost
Effective:2025-09-01
Business Impact

Who SB2001 Affects

This legislation has regulatory implications for the following Texas businesses and organizations:

Regulatory Priority: moderate

Notable regulatory updates (effective 2025-09-01). Consider how these changes may affect your operations.

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Transportation

Affected business types:

  • Trucking companies
  • Towing operators
  • Fleet operators
  • Logistics providers
View all transportation legislation

Key Operational Considerations

  • 1Law Enforcement HR: Personnel departments must train staff to validate historical "line of duty" injury records before the Chief Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO) signs certification forms.

Estimated Cost Impact

lowMinimal cost impact anticipated.

Enforcing Agencies

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SB2001
Moderate
Relating to the registration of vehicles, the issuance of disabled parking placards, and certain benefits associated with that registration or issuanc...
Moderate Compliance Urgency
Requires near-term attention
Cost Impact
Low
Effective
2025-09-01
Enforcing Agencies
Local Law Enforcement AgenciesTexas Department of Motor VehiclesTexas Department of TransportationToll Project Entities
Primary Author: Phil King
89th Texas Legislature
jdkey.com
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 (Enforcement and billing systems must recognize the new plate class on this date).
  • Agency Rulemaking: The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) must design the DPO plate and application forms prior to the effective date. Toll authorities (state and local) must formally adopt policies defining the specific "free or discounted" rate for these vehicles before September 1, 2025.

Immediate Action Plan

  • 1. LEAs: Draft an internal policy immediately for reviewing personnel files to verify "line of duty" injuries for retired/separated officers requesting certification.
  • 2. Parking Operators: Update enforcement manuals to include the "Disabled Peace Officer" plate as a valid permit for disabled stalls and fee exemptions at government meters.
  • 3. Toll Authorities: Convene board meetings prior to Q3 2025 to formally adopt the specific discount percentage for DPO plates and program billing systems accordingly.
  • 4. Property Managers: Issue a memo to towing vendors explicitly listing the DPO plate as a "Do Not Tow" category for disabled space violations unless specific fraud is evident.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

  • Parking Management Vendors: Municipalities and private operators managing government lots must amend agreements with enforcement vendors (e.g., SP+, LAZ) to explicitly prohibit ticketing or towing vehicles displaying DPO plates for unpaid meters.
  • Toll Technology Providers: Contracts with back-office toll processors and OCR (Optical Character Recognition) vendors must be updated to include the DPO plate class in the "Exempt" or "Discounted" billing logic.
  • Towing Operators: Review indemnity clauses. Property owners face heightened liability for wrongful removal of these vehicles; contracts should require tow drivers to visually verify plate types against the new DPO standard before hooking a vehicle.

Hiring/Training

  • Law Enforcement HR: Personnel departments must train staff to validate historical "line of duty" injury records before the Chief Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO) signs certification forms.
  • Parking Enforcement: Frontline staff must be trained to recognize the DPO plate design. Crucially, they must be instructed that these vehicles are exempt from government meter fees and authorized for disabled parking spots even if the plate lacks the International Symbol of Access, provided the registration is valid.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

  • Law Enforcement Agencies: Must retain copies of all CLEO certifications issued to former officers. These records serve as the primary validation document if the officer's eligibility is later challenged.
  • TxDMV: Will require two specific documents for issuance: a physician’s statement of substantial impairment and the CLEO’s statement of line-of-duty injury.

Fees & Costs

  • Registration Revenue: The standard registration fee is waived; the officer pays only a $3.00 specialty plate fee.
  • Toll Revenue: Toll authorities must budget for revenue loss on these accounts. The law mandates inclusion in a discount program but allows the entity to determine if the passage is free or merely discounted.
  • Parking Revenue: Municipalities will lose meter revenue from these vehicles; this cannot be recouped through ticketing.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

  • The "Missing Symbol" Risk: The statute allows DPO plates to be issued *without* the printed International Symbol of Access (wheelchair icon) at the applicant's request. This creates a high risk of wrongful enforcement where a parking officer tickets a DPO vehicle in a disabled spot because they do not see the icon. Rulemaking Watch: Monitor TxDMV design rules to see if a separate placard will be mandated for plates without the symbol.
  • "Free or Discounted" Tolls: The law is vague on the discount amount. It requires "free *or* discounted" use. Toll entities have the discretion to set this rate anywhere from 1% to 100% off. Operators must define this rate clearly in their administrative rules to avoid class-action disputes.

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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.

02

Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

Filed
Mar 6, 2025
Passed Senate
May 1, 2025
Passed House
May 21, 2025
Signed
Jun 20, 2025
Effective
Sep 1, 2025
TopicsDisabilities, Persons WithLaw EnforcementVehicles & TrafficVehicles & Traffic--equipmentVehicles & Traffic--vehicle RegistrationLicense PlatesPeace OfficersParkingFees & Other Nontax RevenueFees & Other Nontax Revenue--state
03

Senate Authors

Coauthors (1)

House Sponsors

Rep. Phil KingRepublican · Primary Sponsor
Joint Sponsors

Bill Text(with markup)

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

Related Legislation

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More from Rep. Phil King

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Related by Topic

View more Disabilities, Persons With legislation
Quick Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about SB2001

Q

What does Texas SB2001 do?

SB2001 mandates the creation of a new "Disabled Peace Officer" (DPO) license plate category effective September 1, 2025, granting these vehicles specific exemptions from vehicle registration fees, governmental parking meter fees, and toll charges. Law enforcement agencies must immediately establish protocols for certifying former officers' line-of-duty injuries, while parking and toll operators must update enforcement algorithms and billing systems to prevent wrongful towing or billing of this new protected class.

Q

Who authored SB2001?

SB2001 was authored by Texas Senator Phil King during the Regular Session.

Q

When was SB2001 signed into law?

SB2001 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 20, 2025.

Q

Which agencies enforce SB2001?

SB2001 is enforced by Local Law Enforcement Agencies, Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV), Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and Toll Project Entities (e.g., NTTA, HCTRA).

Q

How significant are the changes in SB2001?

The regulatory priority for SB2001 is rated as "moderate". Businesses and organizations should review the legislation to understand potential impacts.

Q

What is the cost impact of SB2001?

The cost impact of SB2001 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

Q

What topics does SB2001 address?

SB2001 addresses topics including disabilities, persons with, law enforcement, vehicles & traffic, vehicles & traffic--equipment and vehicles & traffic--vehicle registration.

Q

What are the key dates for SB2001?

Key dates for SB2001: Effective date is 2025-09-01. Rulemaking: Must design and approve the new 'Disabled Peace Officer' (DPO) license plates and create the application forms requiring physician and Chief Law Enforcement Officer certifications. (2025-09-01); Must update electronic toll collection systems to recognize DPO plates for free or discounted use. (2025-09-01). Consult with legal counsel r

Q

What are the penalties under SB2001?

SB2001 establishes the following penalties: criminal penalty of Standard Class C Misdemeanor (varies by jurisdiction, typically up to $500-$750 for parking violations) for Standing a vehicle displaying DPO plates in a disabled parking space without authorization/eligibility, or standing a vehicle with DPO plates in a fee-exempt space without actually having a disability or transporting a disabled person.. Consult with legal counsel for specific applicability to your situation.

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JD Key Consulting is an Austin, Texas-based government affairs firm led by James Dickey, former Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas. We specialize in Texas regulatory compliance and legislative strategy for data centers, energy, banking, and manufacturing.

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: January 11, 2026