By: Ellis S.B. No. 1451
 
 
 
   
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the Safe Routes to School Program.
       BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
       SECTION 1.  Section 504.648, Transportation Code, is amended
to read as follows:
       Sec. 504.648.  GOD BLESS TEXAS AND GOD BLESS AMERICA LICENSE
PLATES.  (a)  The department shall issue specialty license plates
that include the words "God Bless Texas" and "God Bless America."
       (b)  After deduction of the department's administrative
costs, the remainder of the fee [for issuance of the license plates]
shall be deposited to the credit of the share the road account in
the state treasury [state highway fund] and may only be used by the
Texas Education Agency to support [for] the Safe Routes to School
Program of a designated statewide nonprofit organization whose
primary purpose is to promote bicyclist safety, education, and
access through:
             (1)  education and awareness programs; and
             (2)  training, workshops, educational materials, and
media events.
       (c)  Up to 25 percent of the amount in Subsection (b) may be
used to support the activities of the nonprofit organization in
marketing and promoting the Safe Routes to School Program and
license plates.
       (d)[(c)]  The fee for the license plates is $40.
       (e)  The funds may be used as a funding match for federal safe
routes to school and obesity prevention programs.
       SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2007.