BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

 

C.S.H.B. 1542

By: Paddie

Government Transparency & Operation

Committee Report (Substituted)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Among other business, Texas residents may walk into a field office of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, the Department of Public Safety, and the County Tax Assessor-Collector to renew a vehicle registration, apply for a license or identification card, and transfer a vehicle title, as applicable. However, it is often necessary to stand in line or stay in a waiting area before seeing a representative to transact business. There are those who support the installation of a digital message display system in these and other waiting areas to provide customers with valuable information, including information about particular transactions, new state programs and initiatives, and new regulations. C.S.H.B. 1542 seeks to provide for such systems. 

 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

 

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. 1542 amends the Transportation Code to authorize the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV), respectively, to enter into an agreement with a public or private entity for a digital message display system to promote DPS information or TxDMV information or news items of general interest in a publicly accessible area of a driver's license office or of a facility operated by TxDMV, as applicable. The bill establishes that a portion of the information displayed on the respective system may consist of digital advertisements for purposes of funding the system. The bill authorizes DPS or TxDMV to review any proposed advertising to be displayed on the respective system and grants DPS and TxDMV the right to reject any such advertising.

 

C.S.H.B. 1542 amends the Local Government Code to authorize a county commissioners court to enter into an agreement with a public or private entity for a digital message display system to promote county information or news items of general interest in a jury assembly room or in a publicly accessible area of the office of the tax assessor-collector or certain branch offices for which a deputy assessor-collector has been appointed. The bill establishes that a portion of the information displayed on such a system may consist of digital advertisements for purposes of funding the system. The bill authorizes the commissioners court to review any proposed advertising to be displayed on such a system and grants the commissioners court the right to reject any such advertising. 

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2015.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

 

While C.S.H.B. 1542 may differ from the original in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following comparison is organized and formatted in a manner that indicates the substantial differences between the introduced and committee substitute versions of the bill.

 

INTRODUCED

HOUSE COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE

SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 521, Transportation Code, is amended.

 

SECTION 1.  Substantially the same as introduced version.

SECTION 2.  Subchapter A, Chapter 1001, Transportation Code, is amended. 

SECTION 2.  Substantially the same as introduced version. 

 

SECTION 3.  Chapter 291, Local Government Code, is amended by adding Section 291.011 to read as follows:

Sec. 291.011.  ADVERTISING IN COUNTY FACILITIES.  The commissioners court of a county may enter into an agreement with a public or private entity for a digital message display system to promote county information or news items of general interest in

a publicly accessible area of the office of the tax assessor-collector or a branch office established under Section 292.025, 292.026, or 292.027 for which a deputy assessor-collector has been appointed. 

 

For the purpose of funding the system, a portion of the information displayed on the system may consist of digital advertisements.  The commissioners court may review and has the right to reject any proposed advertising to be displayed on a system.

 

SECTION 3.  Chapter 291, Local Government Code, is amended by adding Section 291.011 to read as follows:

Sec. 291.011.  ADVERTISING INSIDE CERTAIN COUNTY FACILITIES.  (a)  The commissioners court of a county may enter into an agreement with a public or private entity for a digital message display system to promote county information or news items of general interest in:

(1)  a publicly accessible area of the office of the tax assessor-collector or a branch office established under Section 292.025, 292.026, or 292.027 for which a deputy assessor-collector has been appointed; or

(2)  a jury assembly room.

(b)  For the purpose of funding a digital message display system, a portion of the information displayed on the system may consist of digital advertisements.  The commissioners court may review and has the right to reject any proposed advertising to be displayed on a system.

 

SECTION 4.  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, 2015.

 

SECTION 4. Same as introduced version.