SRC-VRA S.J.R. 20 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.J.R. 20 78R4104 JTS-DBy: Hinojosa Finance 3/6/2003 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE On August 14, 2002, Senator Wentworth submitted a letter to then-Attorney General John Cornyn which asked whether Article VIII, Section 7-a of the Texas Constitution "prohibits the levy of a motor vehicle registration fee for the purpose of funding trauma centers." Current Attorney General Greg Abbott has concluded that Article VIII, Section 7-a of the Texas Constitution does not, as a matter of law, authorize the use of motor-vehicle-registration fees to fund trauma facilities. As proposed, S.J.R. 20 proposes a constitutional amendment to authorize the use of motor vehicle registration fees to support trauma centers. 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 Section 7-a, Article VIII, Texas Constitution, to authorize, in addition to other uses authorized by this section, net revenues remaining after payment of all refunds allowed by law and expenses of collection derived from motor vehicle registration fees to be used for the purpose of supporting trauma centers. Makes a conforming change. SECTION 2. Requires this proposed constitutional amendment to be submitted to the voters at an election to be held on November 4, 2003. Requires the ballot to be printed to permit voting for or against the proposition: "The constitutional amendment authorizing the use of motor vehicle registration fees to support trauma centers."