BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center	S.B. 1944
85R14007 AJZ-D	By: Hughes
	Transportation
	4/6/2017
	As Filed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

The purpose of this purposed legislation is to properly recognize and honor the recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor by issuing a specialty license plate in their honor.

 

The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States Armed Forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The term "valor" distinguishes an award for heroism or valor in combat instead of for meritorious service or achievement. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) determines the "Valor" status if it is stated on the dd2-14 (discharge papers) which contains the combat service of the veteran.

 

Current license plates issued to veterans by TxDMV include, but are not limited to, Air Medal, Air Medal with Valor, Bronze Star, and Bronze Star with Valor, as well as five other valor license plates. At the current moment there exists no valor recognition for the Distinguished Flying Cross Medal with Valor.

 

S.B. 1944 recognizes the Distinguished Flying Cross Medal with Valor by allowing the valor status to be indicated on the veterans' license plate.

 

As proposed, S.B. 1944 amends current law relating to the issuance of specialty plates to honor recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross medal with Valor.

 

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 504.308, Transportation Code, as follows:

 

Sec. 504.308. DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS MEDAL RECIPIENTS. Deletes designation of Subsection (a). Requires the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to issue specialty license plates for person who have received the Distinguished Flying Cross medal and Distinguished Flying Cross medal with Valor. Requires license plates issued under this section to recipients of the Distinguished Flying Cross medal with Valor that are not personalized to also include the letter "V" as a prefix or suffix to the numerals on each plate.

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2017.