AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

The Prisoner of War Medal is awarded to any member of the armed services who was a prisoner of war while engaged in military operations against an enemy of the United States. The medal began being awarded in 1917, the year the United States entered World War I. The United States military began authorizing the Vietnam Gallantry Cross in March 1968 with retroactive presentation of the decoration to 1961. The medal was awarded to military personnel, civilians, and Armed Forces units and organizations in recognition of deeds of valor or heroic conduct while in combat during the Vietnam conflict.

 

As proposed, S.B. 1731 amends current law relating to the issuance of specialty license plates to honor recipients of the Gallantry Cross Medal and the Prisoner of War Medal.

 

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) and (k), as follows:

 

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

 

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

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2015.