The department must add veteran or disabled-veteran designations to eligible personal ID certificates when the person requests it and provides required proof.
Sec. 521.102. DESIGNATOR ON PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION CERTIFICATE ISSUED TO VETERAN. (a) In this section: (1) "Disability rating" has the meaning assigned by Section 11.22, Tax Code. (2) "Disabled veteran" and "veteran" have the meanings assigned by Section 521.1235. (b) The department shall include the designation "VETERAN" on a personal identification certificate issued to a veteran in an available space on the face of the personal identification certificate or on the reverse side of the personal identification certificate if: (1) the veteran requests the designation; and (2) the veteran provides proof sufficient to the department of the veteran's military service and honorable discharge. (b-1) If a disabled veteran provides proof sufficient to the department, the department, on request of the disabled veteran, shall include on a personal identification certificate issued to the disabled veteran in any available space on the face of the personal identification certificate or on the reverse side of the personal identification certificate: (1) a disabled veteran designation; and (2) the branch of the service in which the disabled veteran served. (b-2) For purposes of Subsection (b)(2), the department must accept a veteran identification card issued by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs or an identification card issued by the United States Department of Defense as sufficient proof of the veteran's military service and honorable discharge. (c) The department shall provide to the recipient of a personal identification certificate with a designation under this section the informational paper described by Section 521.011 at the time the certificate is issued. (d) Notwithstanding any other law and except as provided by Subsection (e), for purposes of obtaining a service or benefit available for disabled veterans in this state, a disabled veteran may use a personal identification certificate described by Subsection (b-1) as satisfactory proof: (1) that the disabled veteran has a disability rating described by Section 521.1235(a)(2)(A) or (B), as applicable; and (2) of branch of service and honorable discharge. (e) A personal identification certificate described by Subsection (b-1) is not satisfactory proof of the disabled veteran's disability rating for purposes of obtaining a property tax exemption provided by Chapter 11, Tax Code. (f) A disabled veteran who renews a personal identification certificate described by Subsection (b-1) shall provide proof sufficient to the department of the disabled veteran's disability rating. (g) The department shall establish and maintain on the department's Internet website forms and procedures by which a veteran or disabled veteran may request and provide the proof required for a designation on a personal identification certificate or renewal of a personal identification certificate with a designation under this section by submitting a form and the required proof electronically on the department's Internet website. Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 396 (S.B. 164), Sec. 4, eff. September 1, 2013. Amended by: Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 479 (S.B. 1308), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2015. Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 957 (S.B. 1936), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2017. Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1142 (H.B. 377), Sec. 6, eff. September 1, 2017. Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 797 (H.B. 911), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2021. Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 636 (H.B. 5142), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2023.