SRC-DBM H.B. 1227 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1227
76R4436  DWS-DBy: Jones, Jesse (Bernsen)
Infrastructure
5/10/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Currently, a "New Millenium" license plate program, the proceeds from which
would fund programs promoting reading at public libraries, does not exist.
H.B. 1227 would set forth provisions regarding special license plates to
support reading programs of public libraries. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 1227 sets forth provisions regarding special license
plates to support reading programs of public libraries. 

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
502.2663, as follows: 

Sec. 502.2663.  NEW MILLENNIUM LICENSE PLATES.  Requires the Texas
Department of Transportation (department), to issue specially designated
new millennium license plates for passenger cars and light trucks.
Requires the license plate to bear the words "New Millennium" and a certain
design.  Sets forth certain persons to which the department is required to
issue license plates.  Sets forth the required annual fees for license
plates issued by the department.  Authorizes the fee collected under
Subsection (d) (1) to be used only to defray the cost of administering this
section.  Requires the department to deposit each fee collected under
Subsection (d) (2) to the credit of an account in the general revenue fund
to be known as the new millennium reading program account.  Authorizes
money from the account to be used only to make grants under Section
441.0092, Government Code.  Sets forth composition of the new millennium
reading program account. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Chapter 441A, Government Code, by adding Section
441.0092, as follows: 

Sec. 441.0092.  NEW MILLENNIUM READING PROGRAM GRANTS.  Requires the Texas
State Library and Archives Commission (commission), to make grants to fund
programs to promote reading provided by public libraries from money in the
new millennium reading program account.  Sets forth the required actions of
the commission. 

SECTION 3.Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 4.Emergency clause.