C.S.H.B. 3347 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS C.S.H.B. 3347 By: Hunter Transportation Committee Report (Substituted) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE C.S.H.B. 3347 78(R) There are currently over 110 specialty license plates available through the Texas Department of Transportation. The purpose of this bill is to allow for persons who specifically want to direct funds toward the Texas Alliance Education Program under the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers to do so in conjunction with the purchase and renewal of license plates. This funding mechanism has proven successful for many other organizations and promises to do so for the Texas Alliance Education Progam as well. 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: Amends Subchapter F, Chapter 502, Transportation Code, by adding Section 502.2736: (a) The department shall issue Keep Texas Strong license plates for cars and lights trucks. (b) The license plate will say "Keep Texas Strong." (c) The department will consult with the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers to design the plate. (d) The department shall issue these plates to persons who: (1) apply on a departmental form to the county tax assessor; and (2) pay an annual fee of $30 in addition to the fee under Section 502.161 and, if personalized prestige license plates are used, in addition to the fee under Section 502.251. (e) Of each fee under subsection (d): (1) $22 shall go to the Texas Alliance Education Program to finance the education programs of the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers; and (2) $8 shall go to the state highway fund. (f) If the plates under this section are lost, stolen, or mutilated, the owner can get replacements from the department by paying the fee under Section 502.184(a)(2). (g) If the owner of a vehicle registered under this section disposes of that vehicle during the registration year, the owner must return the special license plates to the department. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2003 COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE The original differs from the substitute in that the substitute designates the Texas Education Agency as the intermediary agency. The substitute is a Legislative Council draft.