BILL ANALYSIS
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Senate Research Center |
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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.
C.S.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 $5 to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).
(b) Requires the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) to:
(1) include space on each motor vehicle registration renewal notice, on the page that states the total fee for registration renewal, that allows a person renewing a registration to indicate the amount that the person is voluntarily contributing to the state parks account;
(2) provide an opportunity to contribute to the state parks account similar to the opportunity described by Subsection (a) and in the manner described by Subdivision (1) in an registration renewal system that succeeds the system in place on September 1, 2011; and
(3) provide an opportunity for a person to contribute to the state parks account during the registration renewal process on TxDMV's Internet website.
(c) Authorizes the county assessor-collector, if a person makes a contribution under this section and does not pay the full amount of a registration fee, to credit all or a portion of the contribution to the person's registration fee.
(d) 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.
(e) Requires TxDMV to consult with TPWD in performing TxDMV's duties under this section.
Sec. 502.1748. DISPOSITION OF CERTAIN VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS. Requires the county assessor-collector, if a person makes a voluntary contribution under Section 502.1746 (Voluntary Contribution to Veterans' Assistance Fund) or 502.1747 at the time the person registers or renews the registration of a motor vehicle under this chapter but the person does not clearly specify the entity to which the person intends to contribute, to divide the contribution between the entities authorized to receive contributions under those sections.
SECTION 2. Makes application of Sections 502.1747 and 502.1748, Transportation Code, as added by this Act, prospective.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2011.