HBA-JEK H.B. 3008 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3008 By: Pickett Transportation 4/6/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Since its inception in 1913 at Howard University, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority has addressed important issues facing African Americans and all Americans. Delta Sigma Theta Sorority has provided various public services through its Five-Point Program Thrust that includes Educational Development, Economic Development, International Awareness and Involvement, Physical and Mental Health, and Political Awareness and Involvement. House Bill 3008 creates a special Delta Sigma Theta Sorority license plate and an account in the general revenue fund for the deposit of the license plate proceeds, which will be used to benefit programs sponsored by the El Paso Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Bill 3008 amends the Transportation Code to require the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to issue specially designed license plates for passenger cars and light trucks owned by members or alumnae of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. The plates must include the words "Delta Sigma Theta." The bill sets forth a $25 annual fee for a Delta Sigma Theta plate in addition to the standard motor vehicle registration fee. The bill requires TxDOT to use $8 of the fee to defray the cost of issuing the plates and to deposit the remainder of the fee to the credit of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority account. H.B. 3008 amends the Education Code to establish the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority account (account) as a separate account in the general revenue fund. The bill provides that the Texas Education Agency (TEA) administers the account and that the account consists of money collected from the issuance of Delta Sigma Theta license plates. The bill authorizes TEA to spend money credited to the account to make grants to benefit programs sponsored by the El Paso Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2001.