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withdrawn.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.