C.S.H.B. 542 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


C.S.H.B. 542
By: Delisi
Transportation
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

H.B. 542 78(R)    C.S.H.B. 542 78(R)    Section 502 of the Transportation
code regulates specialty license plates. CSHB 542 provides for the
creation of a Master Gardener License plate, with proceeds to be used to
fund master gardener programs run by the Texas Cooperative Extension
service. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 

ANALYSIS

Section 1:
This section establishes the Texas Master Gardener License Plate program.
The bill stipulates that the Texas Department of Transportation shall
issue the plate to a person who applies and who has paid an annual fee of
$30, in addition to other fees prescribed by section 502.161 and 502.162 

The bill further states that $8 of the fee shall be used to administer the
program. The remaining funds shall be deposited in a designated account
for the Texas Cooperative Extension service for graduate school
assistantships and other programs through the extension. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2003. 

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

Committee Substitute House Bill 542 changes the amount of the fee that
shall be used for administration, raising it from $5 to $8. This change
brings HB 542 in line with other legislation to ensure conformity among
specialized plates.