Relating to the issuance of disabled veteran license plates to surviving disabled spouses and of certain military license plates to the surviving spouses of military servicemembers who die while on active duty.
Impact
This legislation grants surviving spouses the right to register a vehicle using the special plates associated with their deceased spouse's veteran status or military service. Specifically, it allows a surviving spouse of a veteran whose vehicle was registered at the time of death to continue this registration as long as they remain single, thus providing ongoing support to those who have lost their partners in military service.
Summary
House Bill 3988 focuses on the issuance of special license plates for disabled veterans' surviving spouses and the surviving spouses of military servicemembers who have died while on active duty. The bill proposes amendments to the Transportation Code to allow these spouses to continue registering vehicles under specific provisions, acknowledging their sacrifice and providing them with continued benefits as long as they remain unmarried.
Contention
While the bill aligns with existing legislation aimed at supporting military families, discussions may arise regarding its implementation and clarity in defining eligibility requirements. Ensuring that the application process for vehicle registration under these provisions is straightforward and accessible for surviving spouses may be crucial. Moreover, considering potential concerns about the regulations surrounding the $3 fee for the special plates, lawmakers will need to ensure that this provision is sustainable and does not place an undue burden on the applicants.
Relating to a limitation on increases in the appraised value for ad valorem tax purposes of the residence homesteads of military veterans, individuals who are disabled or 65 years of age or older, and their surviving spouses.
Relating to the issuance of certain tags, permits, and license plates authorizing the movement of vehicles and the transfer and renewal of certain license plates.
Proposing a constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of all or part of the market value of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a 100 percent or totally disabled veteran regardless of whether the property was the residence homestead of the surviving spouse when the disabled veteran died.
Relating to the establishment of a limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes that a county may impose on the residence homesteads of individuals who are disabled or elderly and their surviving spouses.
Relating to the establishment of a limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes that certain taxing units may impose on the residence homesteads of individuals who are disabled or elderly and their surviving spouses.
Relating to the establishment of a limitation on the total amount of ad valorem taxes that certain taxing units may impose on the residence homesteads of individuals who are disabled or elderly and their surviving spouses.