BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 659

By: Cook

Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

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.

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. 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.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.