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Texas DMV board approves three specialty license plate designs; chair recused on one
Summary
The Texas DMV board approved new specialty license plates for Sigma Gamma Rho, Ducks Unlimited (crossover), and Houston Christian University. Chairman Charles Bakarese recused from the HCU vote because of his affiliation; the remaining members voted 7–0 to approve the three designs.
The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles board on April 10 approved three specialty license plate designs presented by staff: a Sigma Gamma Rho plate, a Ducks Unlimited crossover plate, and a Houston Christian University plate.
Trisha Eckert, operations director in the Vehicle Title and Registration division, briefed the board on the designs and public comment results posted in March 2025. Eckert reported public‑comment tallies: Sigma Gamma Rho received 938 positive comments and 192 negative; Ducks Unlimited received 223 positive and 154 negative; and Houston Christian University received 194 positive and 120 negative. Eckert said the plates were proposed under Transportation Code provisions cited in the staff materials.
Because of a potential conflict, Chairman Charles Bakarese recused himself from deliberation and voting on the Houston Christian University plate (he said he works for HCU). Vice Chair MacRae presided during the item. A motion to approve the specialty plate designs as presented was made and seconded; the roll call vote recorded seven ayes, zero nays, and Bakarese’s recusal was noted.
Eckert told the board the vendor that supplies the state’s specialty plate marketing posted the designs for public comment and that staff provided the designs for consideration under the statutory approval process. No public commenters had signed up to speak at the meeting on the item.
The board’s action approves staff’s recommended plate designs and directs staff to proceed with the administrative steps required for issuing newly approved specialty plates under the applicable Transportation Code provisions.
