BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2453

By: Krause

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

While the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles offers a variety of specialty license plates recognizing certain causes, it does not issue plates specifically highlighting the Family First nonprofit organization, which promotes the importance of fatherhood. H.B. 2453 seeks to remedy this situation by providing for the issuance of "Family First" specialty license plates.

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

H.B. 2453 amends the Transportation Code to require the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) to issue specialty license plates that include the words "Family First" and to design the plates in consultation with a representative of the Family First nonprofit organization. The bill requires the remainder of the fee for issuance of the license plates, after deduction of TxDMV administrative costs, to be deposited to the credit of an account in a trust fund created by the comptroller of public accounts outside the general revenue fund. The bill limits the use of money deposited to that account by the Texas Education Agency to make grants to a nonprofit organization with chapters operating in schools in Texas whose primary purpose is promoting the importance of fatherhood.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2021.