Relating to the design and issuance of specialty license plates to honor members of the military and for recipients of certain military awards.

89(R) HB 1023 - Introduced version - Bill Text

By: Wilson

H.B. No. 1023

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. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.