SRC-AXB S.B. 416 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 416
76R4781  DWS-DBy: Lindsay
Veterans Affairs & Military Installations
2/19/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, exemption from parking meter fees is granted to disabled
veterans and recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor.  Former
prisoners of war and Purple Heart recipients, though granted exemption from
parking meter fees and time limitations by the Austin City Council, are not
granted special parking exemptions from Texas state law.  Additionally
Pearl Harbor survivors are not exempt. According to 1998 registration data
for Texas, there are 17,945 Purple Heart recipients and 319 Pearl Harbor
survivors.  This tends to create confusion for both the exempted groups and
enforcement officials.  This bill would grant exemption from parking fees
to vehicles with license plates issued under certain sections of the
Transportation Code. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 416 exempts from parking fees vehicles of certain
veterans or surviving spouses with license plates issued under certain
sections of the Transportation Code. 

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 681.008, Transportation Code, as follows:

Sec.  681.008.  New heading:  PARKING PRIVILEGES:  CERTAIN VETERANS.
Exempts certainvehicles with license plates issued under Sections 502.254,
502.255, 502.257, 502.259, or 502.260, from certain parking fees.  Makes
conforming changes. 
 
SECTION 2.Emergency clause.
  Effective date:  upon passage.