Relating to the disposition of fees collected for certain specialty license plates.
Impact
The implementation of HB 2182 is expected to enhance the financial resources available for the Glenda Dawson Donate Life-Texas Registry. The bill solidifies the financial structure required to support the operations of the registry and related organizations, which play a vital role in promoting organ donation and management. In addition, it ensures that any excess funds are allocated through a competitive grant process to qualified organizations focused on educating the public about organ, tissue, and eye donation. This could lead to increased awareness and potentially improve organ donation rates in the state.
Summary
House Bill 2182 focuses on the management and distribution of fees collected from the issuance of certain specialty license plates, specifically the 'Donate Life Texas' license plates. The bill mandates that for each fee collected, $22 will be directed to the comptroller. This funding is earmarked for specific purposes related to organ, tissue, and eye donation initiatives, particularly for the Glenda Dawson Donate Life-Texas Registry and the Texas Organ, Tissue, and Eye Donor Council. This ensures that the revenue generated from these plates contributes directly to crucial public health efforts surrounding organ donation in Texas.
Contention
While the bill provides a structured plan for utilizing funds from specialty license plates, there may be points of debate regarding how strictly the funds should be regulated and the effectiveness of the education programs supported by these grants. Some advocates for organ donation might argue about the necessity of ensuring that a certain percentage of funding directly supports operational costs versus educational initiatives. Furthermore, the restriction that members of the Texas Organ, Tissue, and Eye Donor Council are excluded from receiving grants might also be a point of discussion, as it raises questions of accountability and resource allocation.
Relating to the issuance of Support Adoption specialty license plates and to the Support Adoption account and certain voluntary contributions to that account.
Relating to making certain voluntary contributions when applying for a driver's license, commercial driver's license, or personal identification certificate.