By: Campbell  S.B. No. 2376          (In the Senate - Filed March 10, 2023; March 23, 2023, read   first time and referred to Committee on Transportation;   May 11, 2023, reported favorably by the following vote:  Yeas 8,   Nays 0; May 11, 2023, sent to printer.)Click here to see the committee vote     A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT     relating to the issuance of Support Adoption specialty license   plates and to the Support Adoption account and certain voluntary   contributions to that account.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  The heading to Section 402.036, Government Code,   is amended to read as follows:          Sec. 402.036.  SUPPORT ADOPTION [CHOOSE LIFE] ACCOUNT.            SECTION 2.  Sections 402.036(a), (b), (b-1), (e), (f), and   (g), Government Code, are amended to read as follows:          (a)  The Support Adoption [Choose Life] account is a separate   account in the general revenue fund.  The account is composed of:                (1)  money deposited to the credit of the account under   Sections [Section] 504.662 and 521.015, Transportation Code; and                (2)  gifts, grants, donations, and legislative   appropriations.          (b)  The attorney general administers the Support Adoption    [Choose Life] account. The attorney general may spend money   credited to the account only to:                (1)  make grants to an eligible organization; and                (2)  defray the cost of administering the account,   including the cost of advertising authorized by Subsection (b-1).          (b-1)  The attorney general may advertise that fees paid for   the issuance of a license plate in accordance with Section 504.662,   Transportation Code, may be used to fund the grants described by   Subsection (b)(1), provided that the money spent under this   subsection does not exceed two percent of the amount of gross   receipts deposited to the Support Adoption [Choose Life] account   during the preceding state fiscal year.          (e)  The attorney general by rule shall establish:                (1)  guidelines for the expenditure of money credited   to the Support Adoption [Choose Life] account; and                (2)  reporting and other mechanisms necessary to ensure   that the money is spent in accordance with this section.          (f)  Money received by an eligible organization under this   section may be spent only to provide for the material needs of   pregnant women who are considering placing their children for   adoption, including the provision of clothing, housing, prenatal   care, food, utilities, and transportation, to provide for the needs   of children [infants] who are awaiting placement with adoptive   parents, to provide training and advertising relating to adoption,   and to provide pregnancy testing or pre-adoption or postadoption   counseling, but may not be used to pay an administrative, legal, or   capital expense.          (g)  In this section, "eligible organization" means an   organization in this state that:                (1)  is exempt from federal income taxation under   Section 501(a), Internal Revenue Code of 1986, by being listed as an   exempt charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of that   code;                (2)  provides counseling and material assistance to   pregnant women who are considering placing their children for   adoption or to prospective adoptive parents;                (3)  does not charge for services provided, except for   adoption-related costs or fees;                (4)  does not provide abortions or abortion-related   services or make referrals to abortion providers;                (5)  is not affiliated with an organization that   provides abortions or abortion-related services or makes referrals   to abortion providers; and                (6)  does not contract with an organization that   provides abortions or abortion-related services or makes referrals   to abortion providers.          SECTION 3.  The heading to Section 402.037, Government Code,   is amended to read as follows:          Sec. 402.037.  SUPPORT ADOPTION [CHOOSE LIFE] ADVISORY   COMMITTEE.          SECTION 4.  Sections 402.037(a) and (b), Government Code,   are amended to read as follows:          (a)  The attorney general shall appoint a seven-member   Support Adoption [Choose Life] advisory committee.          (b)  The committee shall:                (1)  meet at least twice a year or as called by the   attorney general;                (2)  assist the attorney general in developing rules   under Section 402.036(e); and                (3)  review and make recommendations to the attorney   general on applications submitted to the attorney general for   grants funded with money credited to the Support Adoption [Choose   Life] account.          SECTION 5.  Section 504.662, Transportation Code, is amended   to read as follows:          Sec. 504.662.  SUPPORT ADOPTION [CHOOSE LIFE] LICENSE   PLATES.  (a)  The department shall issue specially designed   license plates that include the words "Support Adoption [Choose   Life]."  The department shall design the license plates in   consultation with the attorney general.          (b)  After deduction of the department's administrative   costs, the department shall deposit the remainder of the fee for   issuance of license plates under this section in the state treasury   to the credit of the Support Adoption [Choose Life] account   established by Section 402.036, Government Code.          SECTION 6.  Subchapter A, Chapter 521, Transportation Code,   is amended by adding Section 521.015 to read as follows:          Sec. 521.015.  VOLUNTARY CONTRIBUTION TO SUPPORT   ADOPTION.  (a)  When a person applies for an original or renewal   driver's license or personal identification certificate under this   chapter, the person may contribute any amount to the Support   Adoption account established by Section 402.036, Government Code,   to support adoption.          (b)  The department shall:                (1)  include space on the first page of each   application for an original or renewal driver's license or personal   identification certificate that allows a person applying for an   original or renewal driver's license or personal identification   certificate to indicate the amount that the person is voluntarily   contributing to the account; and                (2)  provide an opportunity for the person to   contribute to the account during the application process for an   original or renewal driver's license or personal identification   certificate on the department's Internet website.          (c)  The department shall send any contribution made under   this section to the comptroller for deposit to the credit of the   Support Adoption account established by Section 402.036,   Government Code, not later than the 14th day of each month. Before   sending the money to the comptroller, the department may deduct   money equal to the amount of reasonable expenses for administering   this section.          SECTION 7.  Not later than December 31, 2023, the Department   of Public Safety shall provide an opportunity for a person who   applies for an original or renewal driver's license or personal   identification certificate to make a voluntary contribution to   support adoption, as required by Section 521.015, Transportation   Code, as added by this Act.          SECTION 8.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.     * * * * *