BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.S.B. 1123

By: Perry

Transportation

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Due to cost efficiencies and manufacturing changes, Texans have lacked the option to choose embossed license plates since 2009. As a matter of consumer choice, some specialty license plate customers have expressed a preference for embossed plates as opposed to the flat format currently produced. Furthermore, it has been noted that while the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) 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. C.S.S.B. 1123 seeks to address these issues by allowing the private vendor contracting with TxDMV the option to offer, source, and sell a select range of embossed plates to its customers and 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

C.S.S.B. 1123 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.

C.S.S.B. 1123 requires a contract entered into by TxDMV with a private vendor for the marketing and sale of personalized or specialty license plates to allow the vendor to establish, source, market, and sell a range of premium embossed specialty license plates.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2021.

COMPARISON OF SENATE ENGROSSED AND SUBSTITUTE

While C.S.S.B. 1123 may differ from the engrossed in minor or nonsubstantive ways, the following summarizes the substantial differences between the engrossed and committee substitute versions of the bill.

The substitute includes a requirement absent from the engrossed for a contract entered into by TxDMV with a private vendor for the marketing and sale of personalized or specialty license plates to allow the vendor to establish, source, market, and sell a range of premium embossed specialty license plates.