BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 2221
	By: Schwertner
	Transportation
	6/8/2023
	Enrolled

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

As one of the oldest law enforcement associations in the nation, the Sheriffs' Association of Texas provides vital protective services and training to the 254 county sheriffs' departments. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles currently offers several different types of specialty license plates recognizing various professions. While there are multiple plate designs for law enforcement, first responders, and military designations, there is not currently a specialty plate for one of the oldest law enforcement associations in the nation, the Sheriffs' Association of Texas (SAT).

S.B. 2221 creates a specialty license plate for SAT and directs the revenue generated to a fund dedicated to supporting their efforts to train and educate Texas sheriffs' departments. The bill seeks to recognize the service of Texas sheriffs, deputies, jailers, and support staff that work to protect our Texas communities. Funds raised from the sales of these specialty license plates will assist in the Sheriffs' Association of Texas' mission of training and educating sheriffs and their staff, ultimately improving the training and professionalism of their departments.

(Original Author's/Sponsor's Statement of Intent)

S.B. 2221 amends current law relating to issuance of specialty license plates to honor personnel of sheriff's offices.

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 504.680, as follows:

Sec. 504.680. SHERIFFS' ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS LICENSE PLATE. (a) Requires the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) to issue specialty license plates to honor the personnel of sheriff's office. Requires that the license plates include:

(1) the words "Support Your Sheriff's Office"; and

(2) a depiction of the Sheriffs' Association of Texas logo.

(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 an account created by the Comptroller of Public Accounts of the State of Texas (comptroller) in the manner provided by Section 504.6012(b) (relating to requiring that the portion of a fee payable that is designated for deposit to a dedicated account be paid instead to the credit of an account in a trust fund created by the comptroller outside the general revenue fund). Authorizes money deposited to that account to be used only by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement to make grants to a nonprofit organization that has a history of promoting the training, retention, and professionalism of sheriff's deputies, county jail employees, emergency service center employees, or other positions and offices administered by a sheriff.

(c) Provides that Section 504.702 (Specialty License Plates Authorized After January 1, 1999) does not apply to a specialty license plate issued under this section.

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2023.