BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 659
88R1199 JTZ-D	By: Cook et al. (Parker)
	Transportation
	5/4/2023
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Currently, state law exempts veterans whose vehicle has the Commendation Medal with Valor specialty license plates from payment of certain parking fees. Thousands of veterans who have been issued Commendation Medal specialty license plates without the valor distinction under current law do not receive this special benefit.

H.B. 659 seeks to further recognize and honor the service of recipients of the Commendation Medal by making the free parking benefit available also to vehicles with the specialty license plates lacking the valor distinction.

H.B. 659 amends the Transportation Code to consolidate provisions requiring the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) to issue specialty license plates for recipients of the Commendation Medal with provisions requiring TxDMV to issue specialty license plates for recipients of the Commendation Medal with Valor. As a result of this consolidation, a vehicle on which license plates for recipients of the Commendation Medal without the valor distinction are displayed is exempt from the payment of certain parking meter fees charged by a non-federal governmental authority.

H.B. 659 repeals Section 504.321, Transportation Code.

H.B. 659 amends current law relating to specialty license plates issued for recipients of the Commendation Medal.

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 504.315(c), Transportation Code, as follows:

(c) Requires the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to issue specialty license plates for recipients of the Commendation Medal or Commendation Medal with Valor for each branch of the military and for joint service. Requires that license plates issued under this subsection to recipients of the Commendation Medal with Valor that are not personalized also include the letter "V" as a prefix or suffix to the numerals on each plate.

SECTION 2. Repealer: Section 504.321 (Commendation Medal Recipients), Transportation Code.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2023.