SRC-AAA H.B. 107 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 107
By: Giddings (Ratliff)
Finance
5-7-97
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Last year, more than 20 percent of third graders failed the Texas
Assessment of Academic Skills test in reading.  Educators almost
universally believe that if a child is not reading at grade-level by third
grade, the child's chances of reaching his or her full potential and
becoming a productive citizen is greatly diminished. Consequently, making
sure that every child has an opportunity to read takes on an added urgency
and must be a top priority. H.B. 107 creates a "Read to Succeed" license
plate program, the proceeds from which will offer reading programs for
students in kindergarten through grade three who read below their grade
level.                                                         

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 107 creates a "Read to Succeed" license plate program,
the proceeds from which will offer reading programs for students in
kindergarten through grade three who read below their grade level.
        
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 502F, Transportation Code, by adding Section
502.292, as follows: 

Sec. 502.292. READ TO SUCCEED. Requires the Department of Transportation
(department) to issue specially designed "Read to Succeed" license plates
for passenger cars and trucks.  Sets forth persons to whom the license
plates will be available and the fee for the special plates.  Requires the
department to deposit fees in the "Read to Succeed" account. Authorizes
the fee collected to be used only to defray the cost of administering this
section. 

SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 29, Education Code, by adding Subchapter J, as
follows: 

SUBCHAPTER J. READ TO SUCCEED PROGRAM

Sec. 29.351. PROGRAM REQUIRED.  Requires the commissioner of education
(commissioner) to establish the "Read to Succeed" program (program). 

Sec. 29.352. ELIGIBILITY; CONDITIONS.  Sets forth the eligibility and
conditions of the program. 

Sec. 29.353. ADMINISTRATION OF GRANTS. Requires a grant application to
include certain information.  Sets forth requirements for the
commissioner. 

Sec. 29.354. ADVISORY BOARD. Sets forth the constituency of the program
advisory board (board). Sets forth compensation requirements for the
board. 

Sec. 29.355. READ TO SUCCEED ACCOUNT. Requires the comptroller to maintain
a "Read to Succeed" account in the general revenue account. Sets forth
composition and uses of the program's account. 
 
SECTION 3. Prohibits a grant from being made under Chapter 29J, Education
Code before August 1, 1998. 

SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 5. Emergency clause.