A BILL to amend and reenact § 46.2-739 of the Code of Virginia, § 2 of the second enactment of Chapter 852 and § 6 of the first enactment of Chapter 918 of the Acts of Assembly of 2006, as amended by Chapter 427 of the Acts of Assembly of 2008, and § 1 of Chapter 706 of the Acts of Assembly of 2016, relating to special license plates in recognition of those lost or injured in military service; fees.
Impact
The bill significantly impacts the recognition and commemoration of veterans and their families by facilitating a process for them to obtain special license plates. This initiative emphasizes the state's commitment to honoring those who have served in the armed forces and provides tangible benefits, such as waiving annual registration fees for vehicles owned by disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. The requirement for certification from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs or a licensed medical professional adds a structured approach to ensure eligibility for these special plates.
Summary
Senate Bill 363 aims to amend the existing vehicle code in Virginia regarding special license plates for veterans and the families of those who have died in military service. The bill establishes provisions for issuing special license plates to veterans certified with service-connected disabilities and their unremarried surviving spouses, which are identified by the letters 'DV'. Additionally, it provides a mechanism for issuing special disabled veteran parking license plates that display the international symbol of access, allowing certain parking privileges.
Contention
While the bill has positive implications for veterans and their families, potential points of contention may arise regarding the definition of eligibility and the administrative processes involved. Questions could be raised about the details of who qualifies for these plates, particularly concerning the scope of disabilities recognized and the bureaucratic requirements for application and approval. Advocacy groups may scrutinize the implementation to ensure it does not inadvertently exclude deserving individuals.