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.