BILL ANALYSIS
By: Delisi
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Currently, the Texas Department of Transportation makes available a "Gold Star Mother" specialty license plate honoring the mother's of individuals who die while serving in the United States armed forces. However, this program does not recognize the spouses, or immediate family members, of such individuals. This legislation seeks to expand the "Gold Star" program and honor the spouses and immediate family members of these service members and recognizes the sacrifice and loss that they have endured.
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
HB 2398 amends the heading of Sec. 504.408, Transportation Code to read as GOLD STAR MOTHER, SPOUSE, OR FAMILY MEMBER and adds two specialty license plates to those made available to certain individuals by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). The bill requires TxDOT to issue a specialty license plate to a surviving spouse or immediate family member of a person who died while serving in the United States armed forces. The license plate must include the words "Gold Star Spouse" or "Gold Star Family." HB 2398 defines who is an eligible "immediate family member" under this statute.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2007.