HBA-NIK H.B. 3441 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3441
By: Isett
Public Safety
4/21/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The Texas Department of Public Safety (department) frequently produces
publications for Texas drivers. The production and distribution costs of
these publications are high. Printing 516,276 copies of the Class C Texas
Drivers Handbook in 1995 cost the department $180,696.60.  One way to
offset this cost is by allowing the department to sell non-alcohol related
advertisements in its publications. H.B. 3441 allows the department to sell
non-alcohol related advertising in publications produced by the department. 

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. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 411, Government Code, by adding
Section 411.0131, as follows: 

Sec. 411.0131. ADVERTISING IN DEPARTMENT PUBLICATIONS. Authorizes the Texas
Department of Public Safety (department) to sell advertising in any
publication that the department produces. Prohibits the department from
including in a publication advertising for an alcoholic beverage or a
product promoting alcoholic beverages. Provides that the revenue from the
sale of the advertising may only be used to pay the costs of producing and
distributing department publications. 

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.