C.S.H.B. 1600 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


C.S.H.B. 1600
By: Madden
Transportation
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

H.B. 1600 78(R)    The American Legion currently has many posts in Texas
and boasts over 90,000 members nationwide. The American Legion also has a
development foundation that is responsible for many programs such as Boy's
State, The American Legion's Oratorical Contest, American Legion Baseball,
and the American Legion Junior Shooting and Sports Program, as well as
scholarships for Texas youths and veterans. House Bill 1600 creates
specially-designed American Legion license plates for members of the
American Legion with the proceeds going to support scholarships and youth
programs by the American Legion, Department of Texas. 

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

CSHB1600 amends the Transportation Code to require that the Department of
Transportation (TxDOT) to issue specially designed license plates (plates)
for passenger cars and light trucks owned by members of the American
Legion. The bill requires TxDOT to design the plates in consultation with
the American Legion, Department of Texas (legion), and sets forth that the
plates must include the words "Still Serving America" and the emblem of
the American Legion. The bill sets forth requirements for the issuance and
return of the plates. The bill requires the department to deposit the fee
collected for the issuance of the plates into the legion account, minus
eight dollars per vehicle to be used by TxDOT to defray the costs of
issuing the plates. The bill authorizes the Texas Veterans Commission to
make grants to the American Legion Endowment Fund for scholarships and
youth programs sponsored by the legion.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

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

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

The substitute differs from the original in that the substitute reflects
the $30 annual fee stipulated in current statute for specialty plates
issued by the Texas Department of Transportation.