BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 282
88R15697 DRS-D	By: Swanson et al. (Hancock)
	Transportation
	5/4/2023
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Unlike United States Military service awards, there are no specialty license plates that are available for members of the Texas Military who have achieved medals of merit. Texas servicemen dedicate years of their life in service to our state, and are awarded medals to showcase their bravery, valor, and commitment to Texas. H.B. 282 supports distinguished retirees of the Texas Military Department by providing for the issuances of specialty license plates for those who have earned the Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal, Texas Outstanding Service Medal, Texas Homeland Defense Service Medal, Texas Medal of Merit, or Texas Superior Service Medal.

H.B. 282 amends current law relating to the issuance of specialty license plates for recipients of certain Texas military awards.

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 authorizing a person entitled to license plates under this section 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 504.331 or 504.332. Makes a nonsubstantive change.

SECTION 2. Amends Section 504.3015(a), Transportation Code, as follows:

(a) Requires a person applying for a set of license plates under Subchapter D (Specialty License Plates for the Military) to pay the registration fee required under Chapter 502 (Registration of Vehicles) and the applicable special plate fee required under Section 504.3015 (Fees for Military Specialty License Plates), except that one set of license plates is required to be issued without the payment of the registration fee under certain sections, including Section 504.331. Makes nonsubstantive changes.

SECTION 3. Amends Section 504.315, Transportation Code, by adding Subsections (s), (t), and (u), as follows:

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

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

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

SECTION 4. Amends Subchapter D, Chapter 504, Transportation Code, by adding Sections 504.331 and 504.332, as follows:

Sec. 504.331. TEXAS HOMELAND DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL. Requires TxDMV to issue specialty license plates for recipients of the Texas Homeland Defense Service Medal. Requires that the license plates include the Texas Homeland Defense Service Medal emblem and include the words "Texas Homeland Defense Service Medal" at the bottom of each plate.

Sec. 504.332.� TEXAS SUPERIOR SERVICE MEDAL. Requires TxDMV to issue specialty license plates for recipients of the Texas Superior Service Medal. Requires that the license plates include the Texas Superior Service Medal emblem and include the words "Texas Superior Service Medal" at the bottom of each plate.

SECTION 5.� Provides that it is the intent of the 88th Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, that the amendments made by this Act be harmonized with another Act of the 88th Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, relating to nonsubstantive additions to and corrections in enacted codes.

SECTION 6. Effective date: September 1, 2023.