BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 3394
86R11148 AJZ-D	By: Johnson, Jarvis (West)
	Transportation
	5/15/2019
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Sickle cell disease affects approximately 100,000 Americans. It is the most common form of an inherited blood disorder. Despite this fact, the public is generally not knowledgeable about what can be a deadly disease. Raising awareness about often overlooked diseases is an important step toward early detection. It helps to expand research efforts, which leads to improved treatment.

H.B. 3394 would direct the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) to issue specialty license plates for the purpose of raising awareness about sickle cell disease.

Though anyone can be born with sickle cell disease, the disease disproportionately affects African Americans. One in every five hundred African Americans suffers from sickle cell disease. Historically, African Americans have been marginalized in health care systems, which also contributes to the lack of awareness.

Sickle cell is a serious and potentially life-threatening disease. It can block blood flow, cause recurring, debilitating pain, and lead to infections. Serious possible complications include stroke, organ damage, other disabilities, and premature death.

The goal of H.B. 3394 is to raise awareness of sickle cell disease. For this effort, TxDMV will design a specialty license plate that incorporates the image of the sickle cell ribbon and includes the caption, "sickle cell matters," in consultation with the Sickle Cell Association of Houston.

After deducting administrative costs, the remainder of monies raised for these license plates will be credited to an account created by the comptroller of public accounts of the State of Texas. Money in this account will be used solely by Texas Southern University to make grants to nonprofit organizations with a history of providing services to persons with sickle cell disease.

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H.B. 3394 is consistent with the World Health Organization's call to member states to address sickle cell disease, including programs for prevention and management and programs for awareness raising.

H.B. 3394 amends current law relating to the issuance of sickle cell disease awareness 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 504.671, as follows:

Sec. 504.671. SICKLE CELL DISEASE AWARENESS LICENSE PLATES. (a) Requires the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) to issue specialty license plates that include the words "Sickle Cell Matters" and an image of the burgundy sickle cell ribbon. Requires TxDMV to design the plates in consultation with the Sickle Cell Association of Houston.

(b) Requires the remainder of the fee for issuance of the license plates, after deduction of TxDMV's administrative costs,� to be deposited to the credit of an account created by the comptroller of public accounts of the State of Texas in the manner provided by Section 504.6012(b) (relating to payment and administration of a trust fund outside the general revenue fund following elimination of dedicated accounts for specialty license plates by the comptroller). Authorizes money deposited to that account to be used only by Texas Southern University to make grants to a nonprofit organization that has a history of providing services to persons with sickle cell disease for the purpose of providing those services.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2019.