BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	C.S.H.B. 282
	By: Swanson et al. (Hancock)
	Transportation
	5/10/2023
	Committee Report (Substituted)

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 issuance 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.

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

C.S.H.B. 282 amends current law relating to the issuance of specialty license plates for Gold Star family members and 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 Sections 504.331, 504.332, 504.333, 504.334, or 504.335. Makes a nonsubstantive change.

SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter D, Chapter 504, Transportation Code, by adding Sections 504.331, 504.332, 504.333, 504.334, and 504.335, as follows:

Sec. 504.331. TEXAS HOMELAND DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL. Requires the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) to issue specialty license plates for the 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 the 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.

Sec. 504.333. LONE STAR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL. Requires TxDMV to issue specialty license plates for the recipients of the Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal. Requires that the license plates include the Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal emblem and include the words "Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal" at the bottom of each plate.

Sec. 504.334. TEXAS OUTSTANDING SERVICE MEDAL. Requires TxDMV to issue specialty license plates for the recipients of the Texas Outstanding Service Medal. Requires that the license plates include the Texas Outstanding Service Medal emblem and include the words "Texas Outstanding Service Medal" at the bottom of each plate.

Sec. 504.335. TEXAS MEDAL OF MERIT. Requires TxDMV to issue specialty license plates for the recipients of the Texas Medal of Merit. Requires that the license plates include the Texas Medal of Merit emblem and include the words "Texas Medal of Merit" at the bottom of each plate.

SECTION 3. Amends Section 504.512(a-1), Transportation Code, to redefine "immediate family member."

SECTION 4. 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 5. Effective date: September 1, 2023.