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.