H.B. 3020 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 3020
By: Woolley
Transportation
 Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Current law does not create a "God Bless Texas" or "God Bless America"
license plate.  In light of recent tragic events and the ever-increasing
sense of patriotism for the United States and Texas,  "God Bless Texas"
and "God Bless America" license plates are a fitting tribute.  The
proceeds from these license plates would go to fund The Safe Routes to
School Program, which is a federally and state funded program that create
and improve pedestrian and bicycle routes.  The purpose of The Safe Routes
to School Program is to ensure the safety of our children in school zone
area and around railway crossings.  House Bill 3020 will raise money to
help support these efforts and be a valuable public display of patriotism. 

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

HB 3020 amends the Transportation Code to require that Texas Department of
Transportation  issue God Bless America and God Bless Texas license plates
for passenger cars and light trucks, designed by the TXDOT, that bears the
words "God Bless America" and "God Bless Texas."  The bill sets forth
provisions for the insurance of the plates, including fees, registration,
and replacements of lost or mutilated license plates.  The bill requires
the person who is obtaining the license plates apply to the county
assessorcollector of the county in which they live, pay an annual fee of
$40 dollars in addition to the prescribed fee laid out in section 502.161.
The money collected will be distributed by $32 deposited to the state
highway fund and may only be used for Safe Routes to School Program, and
$8 shall be deposited to the  state highway fund to expense administering
this section.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2003