Connecticut House Bill HB05255

Connecticut 2013 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/11/13
• Refer: 1/11/13

Caption

An Act Prohibiting The Collection Of An Additional Fee For A Motor Vehicle Operator's License Or Identity Card Indicating A Person's Status As A Veteran.

Impact

If enacted, HB 05255 would impact the state's legal framework concerning fees related to motor vehicle operations for veterans. By eliminating the additional charge, the law would support veterans in accessing necessary documentation during their tenure as licensed operators in the state. This aligns with broader efforts to provide benefits and recognition to military personnel and improve their overall quality of life post-service.

Summary

House Bill 05255 aims to prohibit the Department of Motor Vehicles from charging veterans an additional fee when they request a motor vehicle operator's license or identity card that indicates their status as a veteran. This bill proposes that the current statutes, specifically sections 14-36h and 14-50a, be amended to ensure that veterans can obtain these documents reflecting their status without incurring a thirty-dollar fee. The rationale behind this legislation is to simplify the process for veterans and acknowledge their service by minimizing financial burdens associated with obtaining official identification reflecting their veteran status.

Contention

While the bill appears to have benevolent objectives, the introduction of such legislation can also provoke discussions about budgetary impacts and the potential precedent it sets for other fee waivers. Lawmakers may debate the sustainability of waiving fees and whether similar exemptions should apply to other groups within the community, reopening broader discussions about equitable treatment of different demographic categories under state law.