House backs opt‑out $1 motor‑vehicle donation and other changes for traumatic brain‑injury supports

Summary

House Bill 341 would change the focus of the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) account to fund services and supports for individuals and families, add a $1 automatic motor‑vehicle registration donation with opt‑out, and appropriated $600,000 from the TBI account; the committee recommended the bill do pass unanimously.

Representative Buttry presented House Bill 341, a measure that refocuses the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) account toward direct support and education for individuals and families living with TBI and establishes an opt‑out $1 donation on motor‑vehicle registrations to fund the account.

Buttry said the bill was prompted by a longtime advocate named Abby, who suffered a debilitating stroke and has lobbied for increased TBI support; the sponsor told colleagues the bill changes the account usage from prevention and public information to direct support and services, while continuing prevention and advisory‑council funding.

The bill also makes the $1 contribution automatic at registration with a clear county‑treasurer notice and an opt‑out option. Representative Buttry noted the bill includes a $600,000 appropriation from the existing TBI special revenue account to DPHHS as start‑up funding to implement the refocused program.

The Committee of the Whole recommended House Bill 341 do pass on second reading by a recorded vote of 100–0.