Bill
HF 291
The bill reduces the annual vehicle registration and plate fees for eligible disabled veterans by a percentage equal to their VA disability rating, for one vehicle.
HF 291 (Introduced Feb 10, 2025) — Summary
Purpose and intent
- The bill seeks to provide targeted relief by reducing annual motor vehicle registration fees for disabled veterans who are not already fully exempt from fees. The reduction is tied to the veteran’s service-related disability rating as determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
- The same percentage reduction applies to the annual fee for special or personalized registration plates for the eligible vehicle.
Key provisions
- New subsection added to Section 321.109:
- The annual registration fee (under this section or any other provision of this chapter) shall be reduced for a disabled veteran not otherwise exempt under Section 321.105(5) by a percentage equal to the veteran’s VA service-related disability rating, for one vehicle owned by the disabled veteran.
- Plate fee reduction: The annual fee for a special or personalized registration plate for the same vehicle under Section 321.34 shall also be reduced by the same percentage.
- Coverage scope:
- Applies only to one vehicle owned by the disabled veteran.
- Does not apply to veterans who are already exempt under Section 321.105(5).
Who is affected
- Disabled veterans who are not already exempt from registration fees under current law.
- Owners of one vehicle who qualify for the disability-based reduction.
- Veterans who would use special or personalized registration plates, since the plate fee is also discounted.
Implementation and timeline
- Status: Introduced and referred to Transportation (as of February 10, 2025). No explicit effective date is stated in the bill text provided; presumed to take effect upon enactment and applicable to the next registration cycle after enactment, subject to standard implementation timelines in law.
- Sponsor: Primary — Turek.
Operational notes and context
- The reduction percentage mirrors the veteran’s VA disability rating (commonly 0% to 100%), applying proportionally to the eligible vehicle’s base registration and, if applicable, its special/personalized plate fee.
- Exemption status: The reduction targets those not already exempt under existing disability exemptions; it adds a new layer of relief rather than replacing exemptions.
Overall impact
- The bill would lower annual costs for eligible disabled veterans on a single vehicle by a percentage equal to the veteran’s service-connected disability rating, potentially decreasing vehicle-related expenses for veterans with higher disability ratings. The financial impact on state revenues would depend on the number of eligible veterans and their ratings and is not quantified in the bill text.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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