Bill Text: TX HB1023 | 2025-2026 | 89th Legislature | Introduced

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

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced) 2024-11-12 - Filed [HB1023 Detail]

Download: Texas-2025-HB1023-Introduced.html

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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.