BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 1183

By: Turner, Sylvester

Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Current law provides for specialty license plates for Purple Heart recipients and Distinguished Flying Cross medal recipients. However, no such specialty plate for Bronze Star medal recipients exists. Bronze Star medal recipients are considered to have demonstrated exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service and achievement.  Such conduct may warrant recognition in the form of a specialty license plate similar to those provided to Purple Heart recipients and Distinguished Flying Cross medal recipients. 

C.S.H.B. 1183 requires the Texas Department of Transportation to issue Bronze Star specialty plates for recipients of the Bronze Star medal.

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

C.S.H.B. 1183 amends the Transportation Code to require the Texas Department of Transportation to issue specialty license plates for a recipient of the Bronze Star medal. The bill requires the license plates to include the Bronze Star emblem and the words "Bronze Star" at the bottom of each plate. The bill establishes that provisions related to the filing of a request and depositing money for specialty license plates authorized on or after January 1, 1999, do not apply to these license plates.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2009.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 1183 differs from the original by requiring the plates to include the Bronze Star emblem rather than a depiction of the Bronze Star medal. The substitute adds provisions not in the original specifying the placement of the words "Bronze Star," and adding a provision not in the original exempting its provisions from provisions for a specialty license plate authorized after January 1, 1999. The substitute removes provisions in the original establishing fees for issuance of the plates.