BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2643

By: Martinez

Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been noted that the statute establishing the design of the specialty license plates for recipients of the Combat Action Badge requires the inclusion of an emblem on the plate, and it is further noted that, in describing that emblem, the statute mistakenly merges two different military awards, the Combat Action Badge and the Combat Infantryman Badge. H.B. 2643 updates the applicable statute and also requires the issuance of separate specialty license plates for recipients of the Combat Infantryman Badge that include the Combat Infantryman Badge emblem.

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. 2643 amends the Transportation Code to require the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to issue specialty license plates for recipients of the Combat Infantryman Badge that include the Combat Infantryman Badge emblem and the words "Combat Infantryman Badge" at the bottom of each plate. The bill updates the provision regarding the specialty license plates for recipients of the Combat Action Badge.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.