BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 4064

By: Gonzalez Toureilles

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, when a motor vehicle is registered, the owner is entitled to a set of general-issue license plates.  Alternatively, the owner may apply for a set of specialty license plates featuring a wide variety of designs.  Some of these plates are generally available to the public, some are available only to certain persons, and others are available only for certain vehicles.

H.B. 4064 authorizes the Department of Transportation to issue specialty license plates to raise awareness of cancer of unknown primary origin.  The license plate must include the words "A Fine Cause for Unknown Cancer" in honor of Roxie Fine, a teacher of Family Career and Community Leaders of America in Orange Grove , Texas.

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

H.B. 4064 amends the Transportation Code to require the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to issue specialty license plates to raise awareness of cancer of unknown primary origin.  The bill requires the license plates to include the words "A Fine Cause for Unknown Cancer."  The bill requires TxDOT to design the license plates in consultation with the Orange Grove Family Career and Community Leaders of America.  The bill provides that, after the deduction of TxDOT's administrative costs, the remainder of the fee for issuance of the license plates is to be deposited to the credit of the cancer prevention and research fund established by state law.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2009.