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