SRC-SEW S.B. 1275 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1275 77R7107 DWS-FBy: Armbrister Intergovernmental Relations 3/23/2001 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Under current law, counties are authorized to charge up to an additional $1.50 on county vehicle registration fees for purposes of child safety, such as funding crossing guards. The county and the cities within the county share the fee according to population. While cities benefit from this fee, the county has discretion in choosing whether or not to impose it. If the county chooses not to impose the fee, no city within the county will have those funds available for child safety purposes. As proposed, S.B. 1275 raises the maximum child safety registration fee from $1.50 to $3 and requires counties, upon the request of certain cities within the county, to impose the fee in the maximum amount within 45 days of the request. Such requested fees are authorized to be removed only if requested by the city or cities. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 502.173, Transportation Code, by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (i), as follows: (a) Authorizes the commissioners court of a county with a population greater than 1.18 million to impose by order an additional fee of not less than 50 cents or more than $3 (rather than $1.50) for registering a vehicle in the county. Makes a conforming change regarding counties with a population less than 1.18 million. (i) Requires the commissioners court of a county to impose a fee of $3 under Subsection (a) on request of certain municipalities. Requires the county to adopt the order imposing the fee and notify the Texas Department of Transportation (department) by a certain date. Authorizes a fee requested under this subsection to be removed only under certain conditions. SECTION 2. Provides that, notwithstanding Section 502.173(c), Transportation Code, a fee requested under Section 502.173(i), Transportation Code, as added by this Act, on or before September 2, 2001, takes effect January 1, 2002, regardless of whether the request was made before the effective date of this act. Requires the county to adopt the order imposing the fee and notify the department not later than October 10, 2001. SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.