Texas House Bill HB519

Texas 2013 - 83rd Regular

Caption

Relating to voluntary donations to the Glenda Dawson Donate Life-Texas Registry.

Impact

With the passing of HB519, there would be a direct increase in funds available for the Glenda Dawson Donate Life-Texas Registry. This funding will be utilized not only for the registry's maintenance but also for educating the public about the importance of organ donation. The bill stipulates that contributions will be remitted to the comptroller and outlines mechanisms for maintaining donor anonymity. The establishment of this fund will add a layer of financial support that ensures the long-term sustainability of the registry while promoting awareness regarding organ donations.

Summary

House Bill 519 focuses on enhancing the Glenda Dawson Donate Life-Texas Registry by facilitating voluntary contributions from individuals applying for or renewing their driver's licenses and motor vehicle registrations for the purposes of supporting organ donation initiatives. The bill notably allows prospective donors to contribute a nominal fee of $1 during these application processes, which will be directed to the nonprofit organization managing the registry. This new structure aims to increase the financial support available for the operations and educational outreach associated with the registry.

Contention

While the bill is primarily aimed at bolstering organ donation efforts, a point of contention may arise concerning the mandatory nature of contribution requests during license and registration applications. Critics could argue about the implications of integrating financial contributions into public service processes, potentially seeing this as an inappropriate mechanism for funding charitable initiatives. Additionally, maintaining the integrity and privacy of donors' information could be another concern as more personal data is aggregated through these channels.