Texas House Bill HB3433

Texas 2019 - 86th Regular

Caption

Relating to driver's licenses and personal identification certificates issued to legal permanent residents of the United States and refugees or asylees lawfully admitted into the United States.

Impact

The bill's provisions will be applicable only to driver's licenses or personal identification certificates issued or renewed after the effective date of the act, which is set for September 1, 2019. For licenses or certificates issued before this date, the law in effect at that time will continue to apply. This approach suggests a transitional strategy in modifying identification norms without retroactively affecting individuals who have already received their identification documents under previous regulations.

Summary

House Bill 3433 aims to introduce specific provisions regarding driver's licenses and personal identification certificates issued to legal permanent residents, refugees, and asylees lawfully admitted into the United States. The bill specifically mandates that both types of identification include an indication that they are not valid proof of identity for voting purposes. This legislative effort seeks to clarify the status of such identification in the context of voting rights and eligibility, ensuring that recipients of these IDs understand their limitations concerning voter identification requirements.

Contention

There may be contention surrounding HB3433, as it implies that legal permanent residents, refugees, and asylees—groups that might already face challenges regarding their rights and identification—will have their capabilities regarding voting indirectly restricted. While supporters might argue that clarifying the limitations of these IDs is necessary to uphold election integrity, detractors could view this measure as an unnecessary hindrance that further marginalizes already vulnerable populations by limiting their access to civic participation.