C.S.H.B. 2107 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS C.S.H.B. 2107 By: Hope Transportation Committee Report (Substituted) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE C.S.H.B. 2107 78(R) The immediate family members and household members of a deceased victim may suffer traumatic stress. Feeling stunned, survivors experience intrusive thoughts about the deceased. They may have a shattered world view with a lost sense of security, trust and control. After an emotional trauma, survivors may become depressed, anxious, and withdrawn. They may exhibit an increase in alcohol or drugs. Confusion and difficulty making decisions may make it difficult for the survivor to function as he or she did prior to the violence. Feeling overwhelmed, they rely on community support to help them function, manage the situation, and cope with their loss. As support is provided, they are better able to identify and express their feelings, integrate the loss into their lives, and continue the bond with their loved ones. The purpose of this bill is to provide support for surviving spouses and children of homicide victims by issuing specially designed licence plates, the revenue of which will go towards a special scholarship. 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: (a) Amending section 502.2923 of the Transportation code to include the MOTHER-CHILD SURVIVORS EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND LICENSE PLATE for passenger cars and light trucks. (b) Group associated is the Texans for Equal Justice (c) 1, 2: Those who are eligible for the license plate are those who apply to county assessor-collector of the county in which they reside, pays $30 (more if personalized). (d) $22 of the fee goes to the states general revenue fund for the scholarship and $8 goes to the state highway fund. (e) The money deposited to the general revenue fund goes to the attorney general for only the purposes of the Texans for Equal Justice mother-child educational scholarship. 1. Those who qualify are surviving spouses of homicide victims who have one or more minor children and who need further education to support the family and surviving children of homicide victims entering for the first time an institution of higher education or a vocational school. (f) If the owner of the vehicle registered disposes of his vehicle then the plate shall be returned to the department. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2003 COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE The substitute differs from the original in that the substitute increases the cost of the plates from $25 to $30, with $8 being sent to the state highway fund.