BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 3666

By: Darby

Appropriations

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Some advocates for transportation funding consider separating the funding for the Department of Public Safety (DPS) from state highway funds to be a positive move toward ending the diversion of funds from their original purpose. C.S.H.B. 3666 seeks to address this by creating a funding mechanism for DPS so that it can continue to preserve and maintain 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

C.S.H.B. 3666 amends the Transportation Code to require a vehicle inspection station to collect and remit to the Department of Public Safety (DPS), in addition to other required inspection and certification fees, a $15 public safety fee for every motor vehicle inspected. The bill requires collected public safety fees to be deposited in the general revenue fund to the credit of DPS.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2013.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 3666 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following comparison is organized and highlighted in a manner that indicates the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

INTRODUCED	HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
SECTION 1.  Section 548.002, Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 548.002.  DEPARTMENT RULES; AUTHORIZE A FEE. (a) The department may adopt rules to administer and enforce this chapter. (b)  In addition to other inspection fees collected by the department under this chapter, the department shall collect a public safety fee of $15 to be deposited to the general revenue fund to the credit of the Texas Department of Public Safety.	SECTION 1.  Subchapter H, Chapter 548, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Section 548.5015 to read as follows: Sec. 548.5015.  PUBLIC SAFETY FEE.  (a)  In addition to other fees required by this subchapter, an inspection station shall collect and remit to the department a public safety fee of $15 for every motor vehicle inspected as required under this chapter. (b)  Fees collected under this section shall be deposited in the general revenue fund to the credit of the department.
No equivalent provision.	SECTION 2.  Section 548.508, Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows: Sec. 548.508.  DISPOSITION OF FEES.  Except as provided by Sections 382.0622 and 382.202, Health and Safety Code, and Sections 548.5015 and [Section] 548.5055 of this code, each fee collected by the department under this subchapter shall be deposited to the credit of the Texas mobility fund.
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, 2013.	SECTION 3. Same as introduced version.