Q
What does Texas SB2141 do?
SB2141 mandates a privacy option for judicial specialty license plates, permitting state and federal judges to omit their official title (e. g. , "State Judge") from the physical plate.
Signed Into Law
Signed May 29, 2025Effective 2025-09-01
SB2141
Regular Session
Relating to the issuance of specialty license plates to state and federal judges.
Government Affairs & Regulatory Compliance Analysis
SB2141: Government Affairs Overview
SB2141 mandates a privacy option for judicial specialty license plates, permitting state and federal judges to omit their official title (e. g. , "State Judge") from the physical plate.
Sen. Judith Zaffirini·Senate Bill·Regular Session
LowStandard timeline
Low Cost
Effective:2025-09-01
Enforcing Agencies
Business Impact
Who SB2141 Affects
This legislation has regulatory implications for the following Texas businesses and organizations:
Regulatory Priority: low
Standard regulatory changes (effective 2025-09-01). Review during normal business planning.
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Transportation
Affected business types:
- Trucking companies
- Towing operators
- Fleet operators
- Logistics providers
Key Operational Considerations
- 1Standard Agreements: No changes required for Master Service Agreements (MSAs).
Estimated Cost Impact
lowMinimal cost impact anticipated.
Enforcing Agencies
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SB2141
LowRelating to the issuance of specialty license plates to state and federal judges.
Low Compliance Urgency
Requires routine attention
Cost Impact
Low
Effective
2025-09-01Enforcing Agencies
Texas Department of Motor Vehicles
Primary Author: Sen. Judith Zaffirini
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. All applications processed on or after this date must accommodate the privacy option.
- Agency Rulemaking: The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) must redesign the physical plates and update application forms (likely Form VTR-421) prior to the effective date. Expect administrative guidance and design proofs between July and August 2025.
Immediate Action Plan
- 1. July 1, 2025: Audit internal vehicle registration checklists used by F&I and title departments to include the new privacy election step.
- 2. August 15, 2025: Download and distribute the updated TxDMV application form (likely VTR-421) to all processing staff; destroy old stock.
- 3. September 1, 2025: Enforce the new intake protocol. Ensure no judicial plate applications are submitted without a documented "Text/No-Text" election from the client.
Operational Changes Required
Contracts
- Standard Agreements: No changes required for Master Service Agreements (MSAs).
- Service Level Agreements (SLAs): Third-party title runners and fleet management companies should review SLAs regarding delivery timelines. Anticipate potential fulfillment delays from county tax assessor-collectors during the initial rollout of the "text-free" inventory.
Hiring/Training
- F&I and Title Clerks: Train staff to stop defaulting to standard judicial plates. Personnel must now affirmatively ask qualifying clients if they wish to exercise the Section 504.403(b) option to omit their title.
- Client Advisory: Staff must be prepared to explain that selecting the privacy option removes the visual indicator often used for "professional courtesy," though the registration record remains flagged for law enforcement.
Reporting & Record-Keeping
- Intake Forms: Update internal "VIP" or "Specialty Plate" request forms to include a checkbox for "Omit Judicial Title."
- Liability Mitigation: Retain written confirmation of the client’s election. If a judge receives a plate displaying their title after requesting anonymity—or vice versa—the processing entity will be held liable for the error and the cost of replacement.
- Form VTR-421: Monitor TxDMV for the release of the revised Judicial Plate application. Old versions of the form may be rejected by county offices after September 1.
Fees & Costs
- Statutory Fees: No changes to the underlying statutory fees for specialty plates.
- Operational Costs: Negligible. Limited to administrative updates and staff training time.
Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations
- Plate Design: The statute is silent on the visual design of the plate when the text is omitted. It is currently unclear if the plate will retain the judicial seal/logo without the text, or revert to a standard "Texas Classic" design.
- *Business Risk:* If the plate becomes visually indistinguishable from a standard plate, clients may contest the value of the specialty plate fee. Watch for TxDMV design proofs in Summer 2025.
- Inventory Availability: It is unclear if county tax offices will stock the "no-text" blanks immediately. This may force these specific registrations into a "mail-order" workflow, extending lead times for client delivery.
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Schedule a ConsultationInformation 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.
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Legislative Timeline
This bill's path through the Texas Legislature
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Senate Authors
House Sponsor
Fiscal NoteView Original
Related Legislation
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- SB1335Relating to decedents' estates.
Related by Topic
- HB1893Relating to the disclosure under the public information law of a motor vehicle license plate number captured in a video recording obtained or maintained by a law enforcement agency.
- HB2686Relating to the registration of frac tanks; authorizing a fee.
- HB3135Relating to the issuance of specialty license plates for retired firefighters.
- HB3815Relating to issuance of specialty license plates for certain United States Army Rangers.
- HB5436Relating to an exception to the titling requirement for certain motor vehicles; creating a criminal offense; providing for a fee.
Quick Reference
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about SB2141
Q
Who authored SB2141?
SB2141 was authored by Texas Senator Judith Zaffirini during the Regular Session.
Q
When was SB2141 signed into law?
SB2141 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on May 29, 2025.
Q
Which agencies enforce SB2141?
SB2141 is enforced by Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV).
Q
How significant are the changes in SB2141?
The regulatory priority for SB2141 is rated as "low". Businesses and organizations should review the legislation to understand potential impacts.
Q
What is the cost impact of SB2141?
The cost impact of SB2141 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.
Q
What topics does SB2141 address?
SB2141 addresses topics including courts, courts--judges, vehicles & traffic, vehicles & traffic--vehicle registration and license plates.
Q
What are the key dates for SB2141?
Key dates for SB2141: Effective date is 2025-09-01. Consult with legal counsel regarding applicability.
Need Strategic Guidance on This Legislation?
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