BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3580

By: Frullo

Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, the State of Texas provides for the issuance of disabled veteran license plates for veterans of the United States armed forces if a veteran has suffered, as a result of military service, at least a 50 percent service-connected disability or a 40 percent service-connected disability due to the amputation of a lower extremity.  In addition, a veteran issued the plates may receive a disabled parking placard without providing additional documentation.  The criteria for receiving the plates and the accompanying parking privileges does not provide for the plates to be retained by the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran on the occasion of the veteran's passing.  To address this situation, H.B. 3580 provides for specialty license plates for the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran.

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

H.B. 3580 amends the Transportation Code to require the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to issue specialty license plates for surviving spouses of disabled veterans of the United States armed forces.  The bill defines "surviving spouse" to mean the individual married to a disabled veteran at the time of the veteran's death.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2011.