BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 633

By: Farias

Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The fund for veterans' assistance provides grants to local government and nonprofit organizations in an effort to enhance or improve veterans' assistance programs that address the needs of veterans and their families. Recently enacted legislation required that a person renewing a vehicle registration online be given the ability to contribute to the fund using the Texas Department of Motor Vehicle's (TxDMV) website. According to some parties, voluntary contributions through TxDMV have generated a substantial amount of funding each fiscal year for the fund for veterans' assistance, but the need for funding to award grants to organizations assisting veterans far exceeds the amount of funds available for awarding such grants.

During a recent grant solicitation period, more than 100 organizations submitted applications requesting millions of dollars in funding, but funding was available to award only a few grants, and the grants awarded totaled just a fraction of the amount requested. H.B. 633 seeks to remedy this situation by providing additional opportunity to contribute to the fund for veterans' assistance through the Texas Department of Public Safety. 

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. 633 amends the Transportation Code to authorize a person applying for an original or renewal driver's license or personal identification certificate to make a voluntary contribution in any amount to the fund for veterans' assistance. The bill requires the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to include space on the first page of each application for such a license or certificate that allows a person applying for the license or certificate to indicate the amount that the person is voluntarily contributing to the fund and to provide an opportunity for the person to contribute to the fund during the application process for such a license or certificate on DPS's Internet website.  The bill requires DPS to send any such contribution to the comptroller of public accounts for deposit in the state treasury to the credit of the fund not later than the 14th day of each month.  The bill authorizes DPS to deduct money equal to the amount of reasonable expenses for administering the bill's provisions before sending the money to the fund. 

H.B. 633 amends the Government Code to make a conforming change.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2013.