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CS/CS/HB 253 — Offenses Involving Motor Vehicles

by Judiciary Committee; Criminal Justice Subcommittee; and Rep. Bankson and others (CS/CS/SB 44 by Rules Committee; Transportation Committee; and Senator Rodriguez)

This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.

Prepared by: Transportation Committee (TR)

The bill makes various changes to motor vehicle-related offenses, including:

  • Increases the penalty if a person drives a vehicle with prohibited lights and stops or attempts to stop another vehicle from a first degree misdemeanor to a third degree felony.
  • Increases the penalty for knowingly altering or otherwise interfering with the legibility of a license plate from a noncriminal traffic infraction to a second degree misdemeanor.
  • Defines “license plate obscuring device” and prohibits a person from purchasing or possessing a license plate obscuring device, a violation of which is punishable as a second degree misdemeanor.
  • Prohibits a person from manufacturing, selling, offering for sale, or otherwise distributing a license plate obscuring device, a violation of which is punishable as a first degree misdemeanor.
  • Prohibits a person from using a license plate obscuring device to assist in committing a crime or escaping from or avoiding detection or arrest in connection with such crime, a violation of which is punishable as a third degree felony.

If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor’s signature, these provisions take effect October 1, 2025.

Vote: Senate 36-0; House 115-0