BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 572

By: Isaac

Homeland Security & Public Safety

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Many businesses and organizations provide benefits to veterans, but veterans must present proof of military service to qualify. Recent legislation provided for a veteran to present proof of military service to the Department of Public Safety and have a "VETERAN" designation added to the veteran's driver's license. After the success of the driver's license designation, some veterans have requested that a similar designation be made available for the concealed handgun license and the personal identification certificate. H.B. 572 seeks to provide further options for a veteran to present proof of military service by providing for a "VETERAN" designation on a concealed handgun license or a personal identification certificate.   

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. 572 amends the Government Code to require the application for a license to carry a concealed handgun to provide space for the applicant to list any military service that may qualify the applicant to receive a license with a veteran's designation and include proof required by the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to determine the applicant's eligibility to receive such a designation. The bill requires DPS to include the designation "VETERAN" on the face of any original, duplicate, modified, or renewed license to carry a concealed handgun or on the reverse side of the license, as determined by DPS, if the license is issued to a veteran who requests the designation and provides proof sufficient to DPS of the veteran's military service and honorable discharge. The bill, for purposes of the concealed handgun license designation, defines "veteran" by reference to statutory provisions regarding a waiver or reduction of fees for a concealed handgun license for veterans.

H.B. 572 amends the Transportation Code to require the application for a personal identification certificate to provide space for the applicant to voluntarily list any military service that may qualify the applicant to receive a personal identification certificate with a veteran's designation and include proof required by DPS to determine the applicant's eligibility to receive such a designation. The bill requires DPS to include the designation "VETERAN" on a personal identification certificate issued to a veteran in an available space on the face of the certificate or on the reverse side of the certificate if the veteran requests the designation and provides proof sufficient to DPS of the veteran's military service and honorable discharge. The bill, for purposes of the personal identification certificate veteran designation, defines "veteran."

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2013.