H.B. 2299 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 2299 By: Edwards Transportation Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE This bill will establish the creation and issuance of "Texas Juneteenth" license plates. This bill will create awareness and provide revenue that will benefit both the state highway fund and the Texas Emancipation Juneteenth Cultural and Historical Commission. Most importantly the public will be aware of the importance of Juneteenth and will be able to directly support Juneteenth. 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 Amends Subchapter F, Chapter 502, of the Transportation Code by adding Section 502.306 that allows the the department to issue "Texas Juneteenth License Plates" which will be specially designed in consultation with the Texas Emancipation Juneteenth Cultural and Historical Commission and will be for passenger cars and light trucks. Plates will be issued to a person who applies to county assessor-collector in the person's residing county. The person will pay an annual fee of $30 in addition to the fee prescribed by Section 502.161 and of personalized prestige license plates are issued, in addition to the fee prescribed by Section 502.251. Of the $30 fee, $22 shall be deposited to the credit of the Texas Emancipation Juneteenth Cultural and Historical Commission in a special account in the state treasury to support Juneteenth activities. The remaining $8 shall be deposited to credit of the state highway fund. If the license plates are lost, stolen, or mutilated, the owner of the vehicle may obtain replacement plates from the department by paying the prescribed replacement fee prescribed by Section 502.814(a)(2). If the owner of the vehicle who has these plates disposes of the vehicle during registration year, the owner shall return the special license plates to the department. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2003