H.B. 20 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 20 By: Corte Defense Affairs and State-Federal Relations Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Current law allows certain veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces who served during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm to order specially designed license plates from the Texas Department of Transportation. To qualify, however, a veteran must have been deployed to the Middle East region and participated in Operation Desert Shield or Desert Storm. During a war, military units are participating directly in the war from all over the globe. One current example is the commander of the current war in Iraq, who is stationed in Florida. HB 20 would allow any member of the U.S. Armed Forces, authorized to register a vehicle, who served in the Armed Forces during the time period of Operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm to receive these specially designed license plates. 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 SECTION 1. This SECTION deletes the requirement to have served in the Middle East Region and allows for a veteran who served in the U.S. Armed Forces after August 1, 1990 and before April 12, 1991 to receive Desert Shield / Desert Storm license plates. Proof of service would be required. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.