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."