88R2693 DRS-D By: Swanson H.B. No. 282 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the issuance of specialty license plates for recipients of certain Texas 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, or 504.331. SECTION 2. Section 504.3015(a), Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows: (a) A person applying for a set of license plates under this subchapter shall pay the registration fee required under Chapter 502 and the applicable special plate fee required under this section, except that one set of license plates shall be issued without the payment of the registration fee 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; and (5) Section 504.331. SECTION 3. Section 504.315, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Subsections (s), (t), and (u) to read as follows: (s) 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. (t) 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. (u) 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 4. Subchapter D, Chapter 504, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Section 504.331 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. SECTION 5. To the extent of any conflict, this Act prevails over 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.