SRC-AAA, HRD S.B. 460 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterS.B. 460 By: Shapiro Finance 2-18-97 As Filed DIGEST Currently, the Texas Family Code authorizes the attorney general to contract with one statewide organization whose individuals have the expertise in the dynamics of child abuse and neglect and experience in operating volunteer advocate programs to provide training, technical assistance, and evaluation services for the benefit of local volunteer advocate programs. This bill provides for the creation of special license plates for motor vehicles in recognition of children. The proceeds from the sale of these license plates would be deposited in a fund that would benefit the statewide organization that contracts with the attorney general to provide volunteer advocates for children. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 460 requires the Department of Transportation to issue a specially designed volunteer advocate program license plate to persons who apply and pay applicable fees. 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. VOLUNTEER ADVOCATE PROGRAM LICENSE PLATES. Requires the Texas Department of Transportation (department), in recognition of children, to issue specially designed volunteer advocate program license plates for passenger cars and light trucks. Requires the license plates to be of a color, quality, and design approved by the attorney general. Requires the department to issue license plates under this section to a person who follows certain procedures. Sets forth provisions regarding fees, allocation of fees collected, and use of fees deposited. Requires the owner of a vehicle registered under this section to return the special license plates to the department if the owner disposes of the vehicle. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1997. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.