88R25470 DRS-F
 
  By: Wilson H.B. No. 4861
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the design and issuance of specialty license plates to
  honor members of the military and for recipients of certain
  military awards.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 504.202(e-1), Transportation Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (e-1)  Other than license plates issued under Subsection
  (h), license plates issued under this section may include, on
  request:
               (1)  the emblem of the veteran's branch of service; or
               (2)  one emblem from another license plate to which the
  person is entitled under Section 504.308, 504.309, 504.310(b),
  504.311, 504.312, 504.313, 504.3135, 504.314, 504.315, 504.316,
  504.3161, 504.318, 504.319, 504.320, 504.323, 504.325, [or]
  504.327, 504.331, 504.332, 504.333, 504.334, or 504.335.
         SECTION 2.  Section 504.301, Transportation Code, is amended
  by adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:
         (a-1)  The department may consider recommendations for the
  design of specialty license plates under Subsection (a) from
  persons who are eligible to be issued a specialty license plate
  under this subchapter.
         SECTION 3.  Section 504.3015, Transportation Code, is
  amended by amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsections (a-1) and
  (a-2) to read as follows:
         (a)  A person applying for a set of license plates under this
  subchapter shall pay:
               (1)  except as provided by Subsections (a-1) and (a-2), 
  the registration fee required under Chapter 502; and
               (2)  any [the] applicable special plate fee required
  under this section.
         (a-1)  The department shall issue one set of license plates
  [, except that one set of license plates shall be issued] without
  the payment of the registration fee required under Chapter 502 for
  the first registration period and for each renewal of registration
  for which the vehicle is registered with license plates issued
  under:
               (1)  Section 504.308;
               (2)  Section 504.310(b);
               (3)  Section 504.315, other than Subsections (c) and
  (q) of that section; and
               (4)  Section 504.319.
         (a-2)  The department shall issue one set of license plates
  without the payment of the registration fee required under Chapter
  502 for the first registration period for which the vehicle is
  registered with license plates issued under:
               (1)  Section 504.331;
               (2)  Section 504.332;
               (3)  Section 504.333;
               (4)  Section 504.334; and
               (5)  Section 504.335.
         SECTION 4.  Subchapter D, Chapter 504, Transportation Code,
  is amended by adding Sections 504.331, 504.332, 504.333, 504.334,
  and 504.335 to read as follows:
         Sec. 504.331.  TEXAS HOMELAND DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL. The
  department shall issue specialty license plates for recipients of
  the Texas Homeland Defense Service Medal. The license plates must
  include the Texas Homeland Defense Service Medal emblem and must
  include the words "Texas Homeland Defense Service Medal" at the
  bottom of each plate.
         Sec. 504.332.  TEXAS SUPERIOR SERVICE MEDAL.  The department
  shall issue specialty license plates for recipients of the Texas
  Superior Service Medal.  The license plates must include the Texas
  Superior Service Medal emblem and must include the words "Texas
  Superior Service Medal" at the bottom of each plate.
         Sec. 504.333.  LONE STAR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL.  The
  department shall issue specialty license plates for recipients of
  the Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal. License plates issued
  under this subsection must include the Lone Star Distinguished
  Service Medal emblem and must include the words "Lone Star
  Distinguished Service Medal" at the bottom of each plate.
         Sec. 504.334.  TEXAS OUTSTANDING SERVICE MEDAL.  The
  department shall issue specialty license plates for recipients of
  the Texas Outstanding Service Medal. License plates issued under
  this subsection must include the Texas Outstanding Service Medal
  emblem and must include the words "Texas Outstanding Service Medal"
  at the bottom of each plate.
         Sec. 504.335.  TEXAS MEDAL OF MERIT.  The department shall
  issue specialty license plates for recipients of the Texas Medal of
  Merit. License plates issued under this subsection must include
  the Texas Medal of Merit emblem and must include the words "Texas
  Medal of Merit" at the bottom of each plate.
         SECTION 5.  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.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.