86R9609 JRR-D
By: Guillen H.B. No. 1844
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to content, issuance, and change of driver's licenses and
other forms of identification issued by the Department of Public
Safety, including automatic voter registration.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 507.001(b), Business & Commerce Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(b) This section does not affect:
(1) the requirement to display a handgun license under
Section 411.205, Government Code[, that a person subject to that
section present a driver's license or identification certificate in
addition to a concealed handgun license]; or
(2) the types of identification required under federal
law to access airport premises or pass through airport security.
SECTION 2. Section 1.005, Election Code, is amended by
adding Subdivision (4-a) to read as follows:
(4-a) "Driver's license" includes a commercial
driver's license.
SECTION 3. Subchapter A, Chapter 13, Election Code, is
amended by adding Section 13.009 to read as follows:
Sec. 13.009. VOTER REGISTRATION THROUGH DEPARTMENT OF
PUBLIC SAFETY. (a) The voter registrar of each county shall
automatically register any county resident who is eligible to vote
as provided by Section 13.001 and:
(1) is issued an original or renewal Texas driver's
license or a personal identification card by the Department of
Public Safety; or
(2) makes a change to a Texas driver's license or
personal identification card issued by the Department of Public
Safety.
(b) A driver's license or personal identification card
transaction with an indication provided by Section 20.062(b) or
20.063(c) that the transaction is not for voter registration
purposes is not subject to this section.
SECTION 4. Section 20.061, Election Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 20.061. APPLICABILITY OF OTHER PROVISIONS. The other
provisions of this chapter apply to the Department of Public Safety
except provisions that conflict with this subchapter or Section
13.009.
SECTION 5. Section 20.062(b), Election Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(b) The department shall prescribe and use a change of
address form and procedure that combines department and voter
registration functions. The form must allow a licensee or
cardholder to indicate that [whether] the change of address is not
[also to be used] for voter registration purposes.
SECTION 6. Section 20.063, Election Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 20.063. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES. (a) The Department
of Public Safety shall consider an application made in person, by
mail, or online at the department's Internet website [provide to
each person who applies in person at the department's offices] for
an original or renewal of a driver's license, a personal
identification card, or a duplicate or corrected license or card by
a person who is eligible to vote as provided by Section 13.001 an
application for [opportunity to complete a] voter registration.
The date of application is considered to be the date of submission
to the voter registrar for the purpose of determining the effective
date of registration [application form].
(b) The Department of Public Safety shall consider a change
of address that relates to [When the department processes] a
license or card and that is submitted to [for renewal by mail,] the
department [shall deliver to the applicant by mail a voter
registration application form.
[(c) A change of address that relates to a license or card
and that is submitted to the department] in person, [or] by mail, or
online at the department's Internet website [serves] as a change in
[of address for] voter registration [unless the licensee or
cardholder indicates that the change is not for voter registration
purposes]. The date of submission of a change of address to a
department employee is considered to be the date of submission to
the voter registrar for the purpose of determining the effective
date of registration [only].
(c) The registration of an eligible [(d) If a completed]
voter as required by Subsections (a) and (b) is automatic unless the
person indicates that the transaction is not for voter
registration purposes [application submitted to a department
employee does not include the applicant's correct driver's license
number or personal identification card number, a department
employee shall enter the appropriate information on the
application. If a completed application does not include the
applicant's correct residence address or mailing address, a
department employee shall obtain the appropriate information from
the applicant and enter the information on the application].
SECTION 7. Section 20.065(b), Election Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(b) Each weekday the department is regularly open for
business, the department shall electronically transfer to the
secretary of state the name and information designated by the
secretary of state for [of each person who completes a] voter
registration for each individual who is eligible to vote as
provided by Section 13.001 and applies in person, by mail, or online
at the department's Internet website for an original or renewal of a
driver's license, a personal identification card, or a duplicate or
corrected license or card [application submitted to the
department]. The secretary shall prescribe procedures necessary to
implement this subsection.
SECTION 8. Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 411.1795 to read as follows:
Sec. 411.1795. DESIGNATION ON DRIVER'S LICENSE, COMMERCIAL
DRIVER'S LICENSE, OR PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION CERTIFICATE. The
department shall adopt rules allowing an applicant for an original,
duplicate, modified, or renewed license under this subchapter, in
addition to being issued an original, duplicate, modified, or
renewed license, to elect to include on the person's driver's
license, commercial driver's license, or personal identification
certificate a designation indicating that the person is licensed
under this subchapter. The rules must include procedures to ensure
that a person who makes an election under this section:
(1) receives a designation on the person's driver's
license, commercial driver's license, or personal identification
certificate only if the person meets the requirements for issuance
of the original, duplicate, modified, or renewed handgun license;
and
(2) maintains the designation only during the period
for which the person is licensed to carry a handgun under this
subchapter.
SECTION 9. Section 411.205, Government Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 411.205. REQUIREMENT TO DISPLAY LICENSE. If a license
holder is carrying a handgun on or about the license holder's person
when a magistrate or a peace officer demands that the license holder
display identification, the license holder shall display either:
(1) the license holder's:
(A) driver's license or commercial driver's
license that includes a handgun license designation under Section
521.128 or 522.0302, Transportation Code; or
(B) personal identification certificate that
includes a designation under Section 521.105, Transportation Code;
or
(2) both the license holder's driver's license,
commercial driver's license, or personal identification
certificate issued by the department and the license holder's
handgun license.
SECTION 10. Section 521.011, Transportation Code, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 521.011. SERVICES INFORMATION FOR VETERANS. The
department and the Texas Veterans Commission shall jointly develop
a one-page informational paper about veterans services provided by
this state for veterans who receive:
(1) a driver's license with a designation under
Section 521.1235; [or]
(2) a commercial driver's license with a designation
under Section 522.0301; or
(3) a personal identification certificate with a
designation under Section 521.102.
SECTION 11. Section 521.101(l), Transportation Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(l) The application for the personal identification
certificate must provide space for the applicant:
(1) to voluntarily list any information that may
qualify the applicant to receive a personal identification
certificate with a designation under Section 521.102 or 521.106;
and
(2) to include proof required by the department to
determine the applicant's eligibility to receive that designation.
SECTION 12. Subchapter E, Chapter 521, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Sections 521.105 and 521.106 to read as
follows:
Sec. 521.105. HANDGUN LICENSE DESIGNATION. Subject to
available funds, the department shall include on each personal
identification certificate issued to a person licensed to carry a
handgun under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, who makes
an election under Section 411.1795, Government Code, a designation
that shows the person is licensed under that subchapter. The
designation must include the person's handgun license number and a
statement of the period for which the handgun license is effective.
Sec. 521.106. LIFETIME RESIDENT HUNTING, FISHING, OR
COMBINATION HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSE DESIGNATION. Subject to
available funds, the department shall include on a personal
identification certificate issued to a person who holds a lifetime
resident hunting, fishing, or combination hunting and fishing
license issued under Section 42.0021, 46.004(d), or 50.001(b),
Parks and Wildlife Code, as applicable, a designation that shows
the person's status as a holder of the applicable license if the
person:
(1) requests the designation; and
(2) provides proof sufficient to the department that
the person is a holder of the applicable license.
SECTION 13. Subchapter F, Chapter 521, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Sections 521.128 and 521.129 to read as
follows:
Sec. 521.128. HANDGUN LICENSE DESIGNATION. Subject to
available funds, the department shall include on each driver's
license issued to a person licensed to carry a handgun under
Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, who makes an election
under Section 411.1795, Government Code, a designation that shows
the person is licensed under that subchapter. The designation must
include the person's handgun license number and a statement of the
period for which the handgun license is effective.
Sec. 521.129. LIFETIME RESIDENT HUNTING, FISHING, OR
COMBINATION HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSE DESIGNATION. Subject to
available funds, the department shall include on a driver's license
issued to a person who holds a lifetime resident hunting, fishing,
or combination hunting and fishing license issued under Section
42.0021, 46.004(d), or 50.001(b), Parks and Wildlife Code, as
applicable, a designation that shows the person's status as a
holder of the applicable license if the person:
(1) requests the designation; and
(2) provides proof sufficient to the department that
the person is a holder of the applicable license.
SECTION 14. Section 521.142(i), Transportation Code, is
amended to read as follows:
(i) The application must provide space for the applicant:
(1) to voluntarily list any information that may
qualify the applicant to receive a license with a designation under
Section 521.1235 or 521.129; and
(2) to include proof required by the department to
determine the applicant's eligibility to receive that designation.
SECTION 15. Section 522.021, Transportation Code, is
amended by adding Subsection (f) to read as follows:
(f) The application must provide space for the applicant:
(1) to voluntarily list any information that may
qualify the applicant to receive a license with a designation under
Section 522.0301 or 522.0303; and
(2) to include proof required by the department to
determine the applicant's eligibility to receive that designation.
SECTION 16. Subchapter C, Chapter 522, Transportation Code,
is amended by adding Sections 522.0301, 522.0302, and 522.0303 to
read as follows:
Sec. 522.0301. DESIGNATION ON COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE
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 commercial driver's license issued to a veteran in an available
space on the face of the commercial driver's license or on the
reverse side of the commercial driver's license 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.
(c) If a disabled veteran provides proof sufficient to the
department, the department, on request of the disabled veteran,
shall include on a commercial driver's license issued to the
disabled veteran in any available space on the face of the
commercial driver's license or on the reverse side of the
commercial driver's license:
(1) a disabled veteran designation; and
(2) the branch of the service in which the disabled
veteran served.
(d) The department shall provide to the recipient of a
commercial driver's license with a designation under this section
the informational paper described by Section 521.011 at the time
the license is issued.
(e) Notwithstanding any other law and except as provided by
Subsection (f), for purposes of obtaining a service or benefit
available for disabled veterans in this state, a disabled veteran
may use a commercial driver's license described by Subsection (c)
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.
(f) A commercial driver's license described by Subsection
(c) 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.
(g) A disabled veteran who renews a commercial driver's
license described by Subsection (c) shall provide proof sufficient
to the department of the disabled veteran's disability rating.
Sec. 522.0302. HANDGUN LICENSE DESIGNATION. Subject to
available funds, the department shall include on each commercial
driver's license issued to a person licensed to carry a handgun
under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, who makes an
election under Section 411.1795, Government Code, a designation
that shows the person is licensed under that subchapter. The
designation must include the person's handgun license number and a
statement of the period for which the handgun license is effective.
Sec. 522.0303. LIFETIME RESIDENT HUNTING, FISHING, OR
COMBINATION HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSE DESIGNATION. Subject to
available funds, the department shall include on a commercial
driver's license issued to a person who holds a lifetime resident
hunting, fishing, or combination hunting and fishing license issued
under Section 42.0021, 46.004(d), or 50.001(b), Parks and Wildlife
Code, as applicable, a designation that shows the person's status
as a holder of the applicable license if the person:
(1) requests the designation; and
(2) provides proof sufficient to the department that
the person is a holder of the applicable license.
SECTION 17. Not later than December 1, 2019, the Department
of Public Safety shall adopt the rules required by Section
411.1795, Government Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 18. (a) Section 411.1795, Government Code, as
added by this Act, applies only to an applicant for an original,
duplicate, modified, or renewed license to carry a handgun under
Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, as amended by this Act,
who submits the application on or after January 1, 2020.
(b) The changes in law made by this Act to Chapters 521 and
522, Transportation Code, apply only to a driver's license,
commercial driver's license, or personal identification
certificate issued or renewed under Chapter 521 or 522,
Transportation Code, on or after January 1, 2020.
SECTION 19. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.