85R7521 JAM-D

By: Sanford H.B. No. 1309

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to eligibility for and benefits associated with license plates for certain veterans.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 372.053, Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 372.053. VETERAN WAIVER [DISCOUNT] PROGRAM. (a) A toll project entity shall [may] establish a waiver [discount] program for electronic toll collection customers that includes [. The program must include] free [or discounted] use of the entity's toll project by an electronic toll collection customer whose account relates to a vehicle registered under Section 504.202 or Subchapter D, Chapter 504 [504.315(f) or (g)].

(b) The legislature shall [may] appropriate funds from the general revenue fund to a toll project entity to defray the cost of providing free [or discounted] use of the entity's toll project under this section.

(c) Notwithstanding Sections 228.057(e), 366.179(d), 370.178(d), and 372.051(a), a toll project entity with an electronic toll collection customer who participates in the entity's waiver program shall provide to all other toll project entities the information necessary for the customer to participate in the entities' waiver programs.

SECTION 2. Section 504.202(b), Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b) A veteran of the United States armed forces is entitled to register, for the person's own use, motor vehicles under this section if:

(1) the person has suffered, as a result of military service,[:

[(A)] at least a 30 [50] percent service-connected disability[; or

[(B) a 40 percent service-connected disability because of the amputation of a lower extremity];

(2) the person receives compensation from the United States because of the disability; and

(3) the motor vehicle:

(A) is owned by the person; and

(B) has a gross vehicle weight of 18,000 pounds or less.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.