AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

The Soldier's Medal is awarded to those members of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving in the United States Army, performed an act of heroism that was not in conflict with an armed enemy. It is honored with a specialty license plate in other states, including Virginia and Iowa. The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is the second highest non-combat decoration for heroism in the United States Department of the Navy and requires that the act have had a life-threatening risk; other states have a specialty license plate commemorating this medal, including Iowa. The Coast Guard Medal honors those who, while serving with the United States Coast Guard, performed an act of heroism while facing a great personal danger not in conflict with an enemy; it is honored with a specialty license plate in other states, including Maryland. The Airman's Medal is awarded to those who, while serving with the United States Air Force, distinguished themselves heroically in a non-combat situation, and is recognized with a specialty license plate in Iowa and Maryland.

 

S.B. 193 creates specialty license plates to honor the recipients of the Soldier's Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, the Coast Guard Medal, and the Airman's Medal.

 

S.B. 193 amends current law relating to the issuance of specialty license plates to honor recipients of certain military medals.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Amends Section 504.315, Transportation Code, by adding Subsections (j), (k), (l), and (m), as follows:

 

(j) Requires the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) to issue specialty license plates for recipients of the Soldier's Medal. Requires that license plates issued under this subsection include the Soldier's Medal emblem and include the words "Soldier's Medal" at the bottom of each plate.

 

(k) Requires TxDMV to issue specialty license plates for recipients of the Navy and Marine Corps Medal. Requires that license plates issued under this subsection include the Navy and Marine Corps Medal emblem and include the words "Navy and Marine Corps Medal" at the bottom of each plate.

 

(l) Requires TxDMV to issue specialty license plates for recipients of the Coast Guard Medal. Requires that license plates issued under this subsection include the Coast Guard Medal emblem and include the words "Coast Guard Medal" at the bottom of each plate.

 

(m) Requires TxDMV to issue specialty license plates for recipients of the Airman's Medal. Requires that license plates issued under this subsection include the Airman's Medal emblem and include the words "Airman's Medal" at the bottom of each plate.

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2015.