BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 1447

By: Wu

Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note that Texas is a great state with diverse and beautiful cultural experiences but that some Texans may not be aware of the wonders that surround them. C.S.H.B. 1447 seeks to bolster tourism in Texas by providing for a travel certificate program.

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 rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Department of Transportation in SECTION 1 of this bill.

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 1447 amends the Transportation Code to require the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) by rule to create and implement a travel certificate program that includes issuance of a certificate by TxDOT to an individual for visiting various locations in Texas. The bill requires the program to include different location categories of certificates, different levels of certificates within a location category, and, on payment of a fee determined by TxDOT, the issuance of a certificate by TxDOT to an individual for a certain level within a location category.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2018.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.H.B. 1447 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.  Chapter 204, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Section 204.012 to read as follows: Sec. 204.012.  TRAVEL CERTIFICATE PROGRAM.  (a)  The department by rule shall create and implement a travel certificate program that includes issuance of a certificate by the department to an individual for visiting various locations in this state. (b)  The program under Subsection (a) must include: (1)  different location categories of certificates, such as "BBQ Boss," "Beer Hall Visitor," "Historic Courthouse Visitor," "Vineyard/Winery Visitor," "Beachcomber," "Traveler," "Museum Visitor," and "Rodeo Visitor"; (2)  different levels of certificates within a location category, such as issuance of a "Basic" certificate for visiting locations in at least three regions of the state, issuance of an "Advanced" certificate for visiting locations in at least five regions of the state, and issuance of a "Master" certificate for visiting locations in at least seven regions of the state; and (3)  on payment of a fee determined by the department, the issuance of a certificate by the department to an individual for a certain level within a location category.	SECTION 1.  Chapter 204, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Section 204.012 to read as follows: Sec. 204.012.  TRAVEL CERTIFICATE PROGRAM.  (a)  The department by rule shall create and implement a travel certificate program that includes issuance of a certificate by the department to an individual for visiting various locations in this state. (b)  The program under Subsection (a) must include: (1)  different location categories of certificates, such as "BBQ Boss," "Beer Hall Visitor," "Historic Courthouse Visitor," "Vineyard/Winery Visitor," "True Texan," "Beachcomber," "Traveler," "Museum Visitor," and "Rodeo Visitor"; (2)  different levels of certificates within a location category, such as issuance of a "Basic" certificate for visiting locations in at least three regions of the state, issuance of an "Advanced" certificate for visiting locations in at least five regions of the state, and issuance of a "Master" certificate for visiting locations in at least seven regions of the state; and (3)  on payment of a fee determined by the department, the issuance of a certificate by the department to an individual for a certain level within a location category.
SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2018.	SECTION 2. Same as introduced version.