HBA-MSH H.B. 811 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 811
By: McReynolds
Transportation
7/18/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Special Olympics is the world's largest program of year-round sports
training and competition for persons with mental retardation and other
developmental disabilities.  In Texas, more than 24,000 athletes
participate in 167 competitions annually on area, regional, and state
levels, with the help of 23,000 volunteers.  Special Olympics provides
participants with opportunities to develop physical fitness and build
self-esteem.  Special Olympics Texas could do more with increased
resources.  House Bill 811 provides for the issuance  of a special license
plate, the proceeds from which would go into the Texas Department of Mental
Health and Mental Retardation Special Olympics Texas account for the
benefit of Special Olympics Texas. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 811 amends Health and Safety Code to create the Texas Department
of Mental Health and Mental Retardation Special Olympics Texas account
(account) as a separate account in the general revenue fund.  The bill
requires the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation to
distribute the money in the account to Special Olympics Texas. 

The bill amends the Transportation Code to require the Texas Department of
Transportation (TxDOT) to provide for the issuance of a special license
plate for passenger cars and light trucks, designed in consultation with
Special Olympics Texas, that bear the words, "Special Olympics Texas."  The
bill sets forth provisions for the issuance of the plates, including fees,
registration, and replacement of lost or mutilated license plates.  The
bill requires TxDOT to deposit fees collected for the license plates into
the Special Olympics Texas account, minus five dollars per vehicle to be
used by TxDOT to defray the administrative costs of issuing the plates. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.