Regular Session
Texas Department of Motor Vehicles
Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation
No action required. This statute grants a benefit to individuals and does not alter vendor agreements, employment contracts, or municipal service agreements.
Automotive & Title Services Only:
Private Fire Protection Services:
The statute defines *who* is eligible (retired personnel defined under Gov. Code 419.021) but fails to define the Evidentiary Standard.
Our government affairs experts can walk you through this bill's specific impact on your operations.
Schedule ConsultationInformation presented is for general knowledge only and is provided without warranty, express or implied. Consult qualified government affairs professionals and legal counsel before making compliance decisions.
This bill's path through the Texas Legislature
BILL ANALYSIS |
| H.B. 3135 |
| By: Smithee |
| Transportation |
| Committee Report (Unamended) |
| BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Current law provides for the issuance of specialty license plates for various categories of firefighters, including volunteer firefighters, fire protection personnel, and industrial firefighters. However, there is no such designation for Texas' retired firefighters. H.B. 3135 seeks to honor these individuals by requiring the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to design and issue specialty license plates for retired firefighters.
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| CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.
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| RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
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| ANALYSIS H.B. 3135 amends the Transportation Code to require the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to design and issue without a fee specialty license plates for retired firefighters. The bill defines "retired firefighter" as a person who was formerly: ·a volunteer firefighter certified by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection or the State Firefighters' and Fire Marshals' Association of Texas; or ·fire protection personnel, as defined by reference to Government Code provisions regarding the regulation of and assistance for firefighters and fire departments.
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| EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2025.
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| H.B. No. 3135 | ||
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| relating to the issuance of specialty license plates for retired | ||
| firefighters. | ||
| BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
| SECTION 1. Subchapter F, Chapter 504, Transportation Code, | ||
| is amended by adding Section 504.5131 to read as follows: | ||
| Sec. 504.5131. RETIRED FIREFIGHTERS. (a) In this section, | ||
| "retired firefighter" means a person who was formerly: | ||
| (1) a volunteer firefighter certified by: | ||
| (A) the Texas Commission on Fire Protection; or | ||
| (B) the State Firefighters' and Fire Marshals' | ||
| Association of Texas; or | ||
| (2) fire protection personnel, as defined by Section | ||
| 419.021, Government Code. | ||
| (b) The department shall design and issue specialty license | ||
| plates for retired firefighters. | ||
| (c) There is no fee for the issuance of the license plates. | ||
| SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. | ||
| TO: | Honorable Tom Craddick, Chair, House Committee on Transportation |
| FROM: | Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board |
| IN RE: | HB3135 by Smithee (Relating to the issuance of specialty license plates for retired firefighters.), As Introduced |
| Source Agencies: | 608 Department of Motor Vehicles |
| LBB Staff: | JMc, AAL, TG |
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Common questions about HB3135
HB3135 mandates the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) to issue specialty license plates to retired firefighters at no cost to the applicant. While this legislation carries no impact for general industry, automotive dealerships and title service companies must update their billing systems to ensure these specific plates are processed with a $0. 00 fee to avoid overcharging liabilities.
HB3135 was authored by Texas Representative John Smithee during the Regular Session.
HB3135 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on May 24, 2025.
HB3135 is enforced by Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.
The compliance urgency for HB3135 is rated as "low". Businesses and organizations should review the requirements and timeline to ensure timely compliance.
The cost impact of HB3135 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.
HB3135 addresses topics including fire fighters & police, fire fighters & police--general, vehicles & traffic, vehicles & traffic--vehicle registration and license plates.
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