BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	C.S.S.B. 697
87R16050 DRS-D	By: Schwertner
	Veteran Affairs & Border Security
	3/31/2021
	Committee Report (Substituted)

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The United States Special Forces�also known as the Green Beret�trace their roots back to the WWII Office of Strategic Services (OSS). The OSS was formed to gather intelligence and conduct operations behind enemy lines in support of resistance groups. Called the "Quiet Professionals," Special Forces units are deployed worldwide.

Currently, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) has military service license plates available for the United States Air Force, the United States Coast Guard, and the United States Marine Corps, but not the United States Army Special Forces. S.B. 697 will allow TxDMV to issue specialty license plates for current and former members  of the United States Army Special Forces who have been awarded the Special Forces Tab or completed the corresponding qualifications.

(Original Author's / Sponsor's Statement of Intent)

C.S.S.B. 697 amends current law relating to the issuance of specialty license plates to honor members of the United States Army Special Forces.

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 504.202(e-1), Transportation Code, as follows:

(e-1) Authorizes license plates issued under Section 504.202 (Veterans with Disabilities), other than license plates issued under Subsection (h) (relating to a person being entitled to elect to receive certain license plates), to include, on request one emblem from another license plate to which the person is entitled under certain sections, including Section 504.327.

SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter D, Chapter 504, Transportation Code, by adding Section 504.327, as follows:

Sec. 504.327. UNITED STATES ARMY SPECIAL FORCES. Requires the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to issue specialty license plates for persons who serve or have served in the United States armed services and have earned Special Forces qualifications. Requires that the license plates include the words "Army Special Forces" and a depiction of the United States Army Special Forces shoulder sleeve insignia with the Special Forces Tab.

SECTION 3. Provides that, to the extent of any conflict, this Act prevails over another Act of the 87th Legislature, Regular Session, 2021, relating to nonsubstantive additions to and corrections in enacted codes.

SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2021.