The bill would amend Transportation Code, Chapter 504, Subchapter G, to require the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) to issue specialty license plates to honor the personnel of sheriff's offices. The bill would require the fee for issuance of the specialty plates, after deduction of TxDMV's administrative costs, to be deposited to the credit of an account in a trust fund created by the Comptroller pursuant to Section 504.6012(b). The bill would stipulate that money deposited to the account may be used only by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) to make grants to a nonprofit organization benefiting certain types of personnel of sheriff's offices. The bill would take effect immediately upon receiving a vote of two-thirds of all members elected to each house or otherwise on September 1, 2023.
Note: This legislation would do one or more of the following: create or recreate a dedicated account in the General Revenue Fund, create or recreate a special or trust fund either in, with, or outside the Treasury, or create a dedicated revenue source. The fund, account, or revenue dedication included in this bill would be subject to funds consolidation review by the current Legislature.
Based on the information provided by TxDMV and TCOLE, it is assumed any costs or duties associated with implementing the provisions of the bill could be absorbed within the agencies' existing resources. Proceeds from the issuance of the new specialty license plate, after deduction of TxDMV's administrative costs, would be deposited to an account in Fund 0802 - License Plate Trust. Based on the analysis provided by TxDMV and the Comptroller's office regarding the estimated number of the new specialty plates that might be issued, it is assumed the fiscal impact to the State would not be significant.
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.