Bill: SB 1251, 85(R) - 2017
Committee
Senate Transportation
Vote Recommendation
| Vote Recommendation |
Economic Freedom |
Property Rights |
Personal Responsibility |
Limited Government |
Individual Liberty |
| No |
Neutral |
Neutral |
Neutral |
Negative |
Neutral |
Author(s)
Royce West
Bill Caption
Relating to making a voluntary contribution to the Ending
Homelessness fund when registering a motor vehicle or renewing a
motor vehicle registration.
Fiscal Notes
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
Bill Analysis
This bill would establish a Ending Homelessness fund to be administered by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs for the purpose of providing grants to counties and municipalities to combat homelessness. The program would be funded by voluntary contributions made by individuals when they register or renew the registration of a motor vehicle. The Department of Motor Vehicles would be required to provide in a conspicuous manner and opportunity for individuals to contribute.
Vote Recommendation Notes
Government attempts to combat homelessness have generally been something less than a shining success. Programs to care for the homeless are best administered by private charitable organizations, especially programs administered using private charitable contributions. When the government gets involved in the arena of charitable giving there are always strings attached and programs tend to get more expensive, less efficient, and consequently less effective. Private organizations are already addressing this problem more effectively. The best thing the government can do is get out of the way. As such, we oppose SB 1251.
