C.S.H.B. 2389 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS C.S.H.B. 2389 By: Cook, Robby Transportation Committee Report (Substituted) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE H.B. 2389 78(R) 4-H is a source of youth development and character building for many youth in Texas. Run through the Texas Cooperative Extension, the Texas 4-H and Youth Development Program assists young people in building the knowledge, skills, and attitudes they need to become strong, productive adults. It helps youth build relationships with others, contribute to their communities, and make healthy decisions about their lives. In 2001, the 4-H and Youth Development Program participants exceeded 1.17 million youth in the State of Texas. 4-H in America celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2002. 4-H and Youth Development is constantly seeking new sources of revenue to maintain the programs and opportunities it offers the youth of the state of Texas. CSHB 2389 provides for the issuance of a special license plate, the proceeds from which would go into the Texas Cooperative Extension account for the benefit of 4-H and Youth Development. 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 502.2934 to require the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to provide for the issuance of a special license plate for passenger cars and light trucks, designed in consultation with the Texas 4-H and Youth Development Council, that include the words, "To Make the Best Better", "Texas 4-H", and the 4-H symbol of the four leaf clover. The bill sets forth provisions for the issuance of the plates, including fees, registration, and the replacement of lost, stolen, or mutilated plates. The bill requires TxDOT to deposit fees collected for the license plates into the Texas Cooperative Extension account, minus eight dollars per vehicle to be used by TxDOT to defray the administrative costs of issuing the plates. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2003 COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE The substitute differs from the original in that the substitute is a Legislative Council draft with two changes: The word "Council" has been replaced with the word "Program," and the $5 to be used per plate to defray TxDOT's administrative costs has been increased to $8.