BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 789

By: Miller, Rick

Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note that certain retired veterans who wish to receive specialty license plates are currently required to have completed 20 or more years of satisfactory federal service. The parties contend that this service requirement excludes a large number of veterans who are considered retired members of the military despite not having completed 20 years of service. H.B. 789 seeks to recognize and honor these members that have bravely served our country.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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. 789 amends the Transportation Code to authorize the demonstration of satisfactory proof of eligibility for specialty license plates for a retired member of the U.S. armed forces by an identification card issued by any branch of the military under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Defense or the U.S. Department of Homeland Security indicating that the member is retired as an alternative to a letter from any such branch of the military stating that the retired member has 20 or more years of satisfactory federal service. The bill authorizes the demonstration of satisfactory proof of eligibility for specialty license plates for a retired member of the Texas National Guard or Texas State Guard by an identification card issued by the U.S. Department of Defense, the Department of the Army, or the Department of the Air Force indicating that the member is retired as an alternative to a letter from one of those agencies stating that the retired guard member has 20 or more years of satisfactory federal service.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.