SRC-LBB S.B. 960 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 960 78R6159 JRJ-FBy: Duncan Infrastructure Development and Security 3/19/2003 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, the Transportation Code allows the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to issue certain specialty license plates. The Texas economy benefits from contributions of the cotton industry. As proposed, S.B. 960 authorizes TxDOT to issue cotton boll license plates. This bill provides for proceeds from the sale of the license plates to benefit Texas Cotton Producers, Inc, for the sole purpose of providing scholarships to students in an agricultural field related to the cotton industry. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 502F, Transportation Code, by adding Section 502.2762, as follows: Sec. 502.2762. COTTON BOLL LICENSE PLATES. (a) Requires the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to issue specially designed cotton boll license plates for certain vehicles. (b) Requires the license plates to depict a graphic image of a cotton boll and be designed by TxDOT in consultation with Texas Cotton Producers, Inc. (c) Requires TxDOT to issue license plates under this section to a person who meets certain requirements. (d) Requires a certain portion of each fee collected under this section to be deposited in certain funds. (e) Authorizes the owner of the vehicle for which the license plates were issued to obtain replacement plates from TxDOT for a fee of $5, if license plates are lost, stolen, or mutilated. Requires the owner of a vehicle registered under this section who disposes of the vehicle during the registration year to return the special plates to TxDOT. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2003.