BILL ANALYSIS C.S.H.B. 3091 By: Veasey Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Committee Report (Substituted) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Often foreign nationals buy property in Texas. Current law does not allow notaries to accept an identification issued by a foreign government as satisfactory evidence of the individuals identification in the acknowledgment of written instruments. The only acceptable means of establishing the individuals identity is an oath of a credible witness personally known to the notary. A foreign passport of government- issued identification would serve as a more secure and reliable method of proving identity. C.S.H.B. 3091 includes a current identification card or other document issued by a foreign government among the items considered satisfactory evidence of identity for purposes of acknowledging a written instrument. 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. ANALYSIS C.S.H.B. 3091 amends the Civil Practice and Remedies Code to include a current identification card or other document issued by a foreign government among items considered satisfactory evidence of identity for purposes of acknowledging a written instrument. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2009. COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE The committee substitute differs from the original in that it is a Legislative Council Draft. BILL ANALYSIS BILL ANALYSIS C.S.H.B. 3091 By: Veasey Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Committee Report (Substituted) C.S.H.B. 3091 By: Veasey Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence Committee Report (Substituted) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Often foreign nationals buy property in Texas. Current law does not allow notaries to accept an identification issued by a foreign government as satisfactory evidence of the individuals identification in the acknowledgment of written instruments. The only acceptable means of establishing the individuals identity is an oath of a credible witness personally known to the notary. A foreign passport of government- issued identification would serve as a more secure and reliable method of proving identity. C.S.H.B. 3091 includes a current identification card or other document issued by a foreign government among the items considered satisfactory evidence of identity for purposes of acknowledging a written instrument. 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. ANALYSIS C.S.H.B. 3091 amends the Civil Practice and Remedies Code to include a current identification card or other document issued by a foreign government among items considered satisfactory evidence of identity for purposes of acknowledging a written instrument. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2009. COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE The committee substitute differs from the original in that it is a Legislative Council Draft.