LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD Austin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 77th Regular Session May 19, 2001 TO: Honorable Clyde Alexander, Chair, House Committee on Transportation FROM: John Keel, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: SB1353 by Armbrister (Relating to the issuance of certain veterans license plates.), Committee Report 2nd House, as amended ************************************************************************** * No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated. * ************************************************************************** The bill would amend the Transportation Code to provide for the purchase of additional "Legion of Valor" and "Former Prisoner of War" license plates. The bill would authorize the purchase of second and subsequent plates by recipients of the Air Force Cross or Distinguished Service Cross, the Army Distinguished Service Cross, the Navy Cross, or the Medal of Honor. The bill would also authorize the purchase of second and subsequent plates by persons who were honorably discharged former prisoners of war. The bill would require $3 for the first set of plates and $15 for each additional set of plates plus the regular registration fees. The bill would eliminate the requirement that a person is allowed only one set of these types of license plates. The bill would require that the license plates of any vehicles disposed of during the registration year would be returned to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). The bill would also amend the Transportation Code to require TxDOT to issue specially designed license plates for passenger cars and light trucks owned by members or alumnae of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. The bill would also amend the Education Code to create a new dedicated account in the General Revenue Fund. The bill would require an annual registration fee of $25 in addition to any other registration fees for the specially designed license plates; that $8 from each fee collected be deposited in the State Highway Fund to defray the costs of providing the plates; and that all remaining proceeds be deposited in the new dedicated account. The bill would also require funds in the new dedicated account to be appropriated to the Texas Education Agency for the purpose of making grants to benefit programs sponsored by the El Paso alumnae Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated due to the estimated number of license plate issuances. The bill would take effect upon receiving a two-thirds majority vote of the members in both houses; otherwise, the bill would take effect September 1, 2001. Local Government Impact No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated. Source Agencies: 304 Comptroller of Public Accounts, 601 Texas Department of Transportation, 701 Texas Education Agency LBB Staff: JK, JO, RT, MW