85S11058 JRJ-D
By: Fallon H.B. No. 280
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the proof of citizenship or lawful presence in the
United States required for the issuance of a driver's license.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 521.142(a), Transportation Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(a) An application for an original license must state the
applicant's full name and place and date of birth. This
information must be verified by presentation of proof of identity
satisfactory to the department. An applicant who is not a citizen
of the United States must present to the department documentation
issued by the appropriate United States agency that authorizes the
applicant to be in the United States before the applicant may be
issued a driver's license. The department must accept as
satisfactory proof of identity under this subsection an offender
identification card or similar form of identification issued to an
inmate by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice if the applicant
also provides supplemental verifiable records or documents that aid
in establishing identity. For the purposes of this subsection, a
voter registration certificate is not satisfactory proof of
authorization to be in the United States.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect December 1, 2017.