SRC-ARR S.B. 171 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 171 76R3644 WP-DBy: Carona Veterans Affairs and Military Installations 2/18/1999 As Filed DIGEST Currently, Texas law authorizes the Texas Department of Transportation to issue a variety of special license plates. In 1993, the Texas Legislature passed legislation creating a Legion of Valor plate for recipients of certain medals, but inadvertently did not extend the privilege to the unmarried surviving spouse. S.B. 171 extends the Legion of Valor license plate privilege to the unmarried surviving spouse of veterans. . PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 171 relates to expanding the Legion of Valor license plate privilege to the unmarried surviving spouses of veterans. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 502.266, Transportation Code, to entitle the surviving spouse of a person who would be eligible for license plates under Section 502.2555 to register one motor vehicle under that section as long as the spouse remains unmarried. Makes conforming changes. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 3. Emergency clause.