HBA-ALS S.B. 171 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 171
By: Carona
Transportation
4/19/1999
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, the Texas Department of Public Safety is allowed to
issue special "Legion of Valor" license plates to recipients of certain
medals.  However, the legislation did not extend the privilege to unmarried
surviving spouses.  S.B. 171 extends the Legion of Valor license plate
privilege to the surviving spouses of eligible veterans as long as the
spouse remains unmarried. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 502.266, Transportation Code, to entitle the
surviving spouse of a person who would be eligible for license plates under
Section 502.2555 (Air Force Cross or Distinguished Service Cross, Army
Distinguished Service Cross, Navy Cross, or Medal of Honor Recipients)  to
register one motor vehicle under that section as long as the spouse remains
unmarried. Provides that an applicant for registration under this section
must submit proof of the deceased spouse's eligibility in order to register
under Section 502.2555.   Redesignates existing Subsections (c)-(g) to
Subsections (d)-(h). 

SECTION 2.Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3.Emergency clause.