Section 55-4-281 - Coast Guard Medal or Coast Guard Commendation Medal(a) A recipient of the Coast Guard Medal or the Coast Guard Commendation Medal who is a resident of this state and who is an owner or lessee of a motor vehicle, upon complying with state motor vehicle laws relating to registration and licensing of motor vehicles and upon paying the regular registration fee for plates, as prescribed under § 55-4-111, and the fee provided for in § 55-4-204(c)(1), shall be issued a distinctive Coast Guard Medal or Coast Guard Commendation Medal motor vehicle registration plate, as appropriate, for a motor vehicle authorized by § 55-4-210(c).(b) The plates provided for in this section must include a likeness of the Coast Guard Medal or the Coast Guard Commendation Medal and bear the legend "Coast Guard Medal" or "Coast Guard Commendation Medal," as applicable.(c) All applications pursuant to this section must be accompanied by the following as proof of eligibility for issuance of a plate pursuant to this section:(1)(A) A valid military identification card or such other document as the commissioner designates as sufficient proof that the applicant is an active member of the United States armed forces; or(B)(i) A certified copy of the veteran's certificate of release or discharge from active duty, department of defense form 214 (DD 214), honorable discharge certificate, department of defense form 256 (DD 256), or report of separation and record of service, NGB form 22, that indicates an honorable discharge characterization;(ii) A valid DD form 2 (Retired) military identification card; or(iii) A Tennessee driver license that indicates military service in accordance with § 55-50-354; and(2) Documentation certifying that the application for the plate is submitted by a recipient of the Coast Guard Medal or Coast Guard Commendation Medal, as applicable, to include:(A) Military orders awarding the Coast Guard Medal or Coast Guard Commendation Medal, authorized by a branch of the United States armed forces to the member or veteran; or(B) The veteran's certificate of release or discharge from active duty, department of defense form 214 (DD 214), or report of separation and record of service, NGB form 22, indicating the awarding of the Coast Guard Medal or Coast Guard Commendation Medal.(d) An applicant is required to submit the documentation required by subsection (c) only when initially applying for license plates under this section. Subsequent license plates under this section must be issued to that person without the repeated presentation of documentation.Added by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 250, s 11, eff. 7/1/2023.