TWT H.B. 2198 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


TRANSPORTATION
H.B. 2198
By: Wise
5-12-97
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND 

The Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (TCADA) is the state agency
responsible for drug abuse prevention and rehabilitation programs. The
TCADA distributes funds to nonprofit organizations throughout the state
which provide those services.  

PURPOSE

The purpose of this legislation is to authorize the Texas Department of
Transportation to issue specialized Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug
Abuse (TCADA) license plates which will benefit drug-abuse prevention
programs provided by nonprofit organizations which primarily serve
children. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or
institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter F, Chapter 502, Transportation Code, by
adding Sec. 502.293. 

 (a) Authorizes the TXDOT to issue TCADA license plates for passenger cars
and light trucks.   

 (b) The plates must be designed by the department in consultation with
the Boy Scouts of America. 

 (c) Requires the TXDOT to issue plates to a person who: (1)  applies to
the county assessor-collector on a prescribed form; and (2)  pays a $30
annual fee, in addition to other required fees, and, and an additional fee
if personalized prestige license plates are issued.  

 (d) Requires the TXDOT to deposit $25 in the general revenue fund and $5
in the state highway fund.   

 (e) Money deposited in the general revenue fund under (d) can only go to
TCADA for drugabuse prevention programs provided by nonprofit
organizations primarily serving children. States legislative intent that
to the extent possible, a preference should be given to service providers
whose membership is made up of those who purchase these specially designed
license plates.  

 (f) If  the owner of a vehicle registered under this section disposes of
the vehicle during the registration year, the owner shall return the
special license plates to the TXDOT.          

SECTION 2. Effective date -- September 1, 1997. 

SECTION 3.  Emergency clause.


 
COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

SECTION 1. The original bill in Sec. 502.293 (b), Transportation Code,
required the design of the license plates to be approved by the TCADA. The
substitute requires the "department" to design the places in consultation
with the Boy Scouts of America. 

The original bill amends Sec. 502.293 (d), Transportation Code, to require
$25 of the collected fee be deposited in the general revenue fund and $5
be credited to the state highway fund. The substitute changes this to
require $20 to go to the general revenue fund and $10 to go to the state
highway fund.  

The substitute expands Sec. 502.293(e), Transportation Code, to give
preference in awarding drugabuse prevention grants to organizations whose
membership substantially consists of persons who purchase these specially
designed license plates. The original did not contain a similar provision.