HBA-DMH S.B. 614 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 614 By: Van de Putte Transportation 4/26/2001 Engrossed BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE When an individual is diagnosed with cancer, there are many expenses associated with treatment and care that can put a financial strain on the individual or the individual's family. There are community organizations and agencies that assist with these expenses, but those resources are limited. Senate Bill 614 directs the Texas Department of Transportation to create a "Texans Conquer Cancer" license plate that raises money to be awarded to Texas nonprofit organizations that provide support services for cancer patients and their families. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Cancer Council in SECTION 2 (Section 102.017, Health and Safety Code) of this bill. ANALYSIS Senate Bill 614 amends the Transportation Code to require the Texas Department of Transportation (department) to issue specially designed license plates for certain vehicles, designed in consultation with the Texas Cancer Council (council), that include the words "Texans Conquer Cancer." The bill requires the department to issue the license plates to a person that completes the specified application process and pays the prescribed fees. The bill requires an owner of a vehicle with "Texans Conquer Cancer" license plates to return the license plates to the department if the owner disposes of the vehicle during a registration year. The bill requires the department to use $5 of the fee collected for the license plates for administration costs only and to deposit the remainder of the collected fees to the credit of the Texans Conquer Cancer account. The bill amends the Health and Safety Code to create the Texans Conquer Cancer account within the general revenue fund and sets forth provisions for the fund's use and administration. The bill requires the council to establish, by rule, guidelines for spending money credited to the account. The bill requires the council to appoint a seven-member Texans Conquer Cancer advisory committee, establishes the duties of the committee, and sets forth the terms of service of the committee members. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2001.