AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The Legislative Budget Board's Government Effectiveness and Efficiency Report (January 2011) examines various ways to increase private contributions for state parks. One recommendation in the report is to provide a mechanism for individuals to make a voluntary contribution for state park operations and maintenance when registering vehicles initially or by renewal. H.B. 1301 establishes a voluntary $1 donation with an opt-out mechanism for making a donation to the Parks and Wildlife Department for state park operations and maintenance.
H.B. 1301 amends current law relating to making a voluntary contribution to the Parks and Wildlife Department when registering a motor vehicle or renewing a motor vehicle registration.
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 Subchapter D, Chapter 502, Transportation Code, by adding Section 502.1747, as follows:
Sec. 502.1747. VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTION TO PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT. (a) Authorizes a person, when the person registers or renews the registration of a motor vehicle under this chapter, to contribute $1 to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).
(b) Requires the contribution to be automatically included in the total amount due for the registration or renewal of the registration of a motor vehicle under this chapter. Requires a person to have the option at the time of registration or renewal to decline to make the contribution described by Subsection (a). Requires the amount, if a person declines to make the contribution, to be deducted from the total amount due for the registration or renewal.
(c) Requires the county assessor-collector to send any contribution made under
this section to the comptroller of public accounts for deposit to the credit of
the state parks account under Section 11.035 (State Parks Account), Parks and Wildlife
Code. Authorizes money received by TPWD under this section to be used only for
the operation and maintenance of state parks, historic sites, or natural areas
under the jurisdiction of TPWD.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2011.