SRC-AAA, HRD S.B. 460 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 460
By: Shapiro
Finance
2-20-97
Committee Report (Amended)


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 in
consultation with the department.  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.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

Amends SECTION 1, Chapter 502F, Section 502.292, Transportaion Code, to
add a provision requiring the attorney general to consult with the
department in approving a license plate under this section.