BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2958

By: Bumgarner

Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Concerns have been raised that when applying for a Gold Star family member specialty license plate, a close relative such as an adoptive parent, adoptive child, foster parent, foster child, stepparent, or stepchild of a U.S. military service member who died on active duty could be denied access to the license plate. H.B. 2958 seeks to clarify that those family members qualify as immediate family members when applying for a Gold Star family member license plate.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2958 amends the Transportation Code to expand the definition of "immediate family member" for purposes of the issuance of a Gold Star family member specialty license plate to include an adoptive parent, adoptive child, foster parent, foster child, stepparent, or stepchild of a person who died while serving in the U.S. armed forces. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.