AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
H.B. 3610 amends Chapter 504, Transportation Code, to design and issue a Texas Juneteenth specialty plate. Juneteenth is recognized as a holiday by African American Texans. On June 19, 1865, General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas where he read a general order to those gathered announcing the end of slavery in the United States. The celebration of June 19 began the next year. 2015 marks 150 years.
Under H.B. 3610, after administrative fees are deducted by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, remaining funds will be deposited in the general revenue fund for use by the Texas Historical Commission to administer grants that would assist in promoting the celebration of Juneteenth. Unity Unlimited Inc., a Fort Worth-based entity, is a named recipient and a non-profit organization whose goal is to promote the celebration of Juneteenth in Texas. The holiday is celebrated in 14 states.
H.B. 3610 amends current law relating to the issuance of Texas Juneteenth specialty license plates.
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 G, Chapter 504, Transportation Code, by adding Section 504.649, as follows:
Sec. 504.649. TEXAS JUNETEENTH LICENSE PLATES. (a) Requires the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) to issue Texas Juneteenth specialty license plates. Requires TxDMV to design the license plates in consultation with Unity Unlimited Inc.
(b) Requires that the remainder of the fee for issuance of the license plates, after deduction of TxDMV’s administrative costs, be deposited to the credit of the general revenue fund to be used only by the Texas Historical Commission in making grants to Unity Unlimited Inc. for the purpose of promoting the celebration of Juneteenth in this state as long as they provide verification to the Texas Historical Commission that they continue to maintain active nonprofit status with the Texas comptroller's office. Requires that the grants, if Unity Unlimited Inc. does not have active status at the time of the distribution of any grants, be distributed to nonprofit organizations for the purpose of promoting the celebration of Juneteenth in this state.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2015.