S.B. No. 2054

AN ACT

relating to the payment of fees and costs associated with driver education and safety courses and driver's license examinations for foster children or youth, former foster children or youth, and youth experiencing homelessness.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Subchapter H, Chapter 521, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Section 521.168 to read as follows:

Sec. 521.168. PAYMENT OF FEES FOR CERTAIN FOSTER AND HOMELESS CHILDREN AND YOUTHS. (a) Unless prohibited under Section 521.4265(c), the Texas Workforce Commission shall on request pay the fees associated with meeting a requirement imposed under this subchapter or Chapter 1001, Education Code, for a person who is:

(1) eligible for a driver's license fee exemption under Section 521.1811; or

(2) younger than 26 years of age and:

(A) was in the managing conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services on the day before the person's 18th birthday; or

(B) is a homeless child or youth as defined by 42 U.S.C. Section 11434a.

(b) The Texas Workforce Commission by rule shall establish a process by which:

(1) a person described by Subsection (a) may apply to that commission for the payment of fees under this section; and

(2) that commission pays fees associated with meeting a requirement imposed under this subchapter or Chapter 1001, Education Code, to appropriate entities on behalf of the person described by Subsection (a).

SECTION 2. Section 521.4265, Transportation Code, is amended by amending Subsections (b) and (c) and adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:

(b) From the money in the identification fee exemption account the department shall:

(1) request that the comptroller transfer to the Texas Workforce Commission amounts sufficient to cover the cost of implementing the program under Section 521.168, including amounts sufficient for the payment by the Texas Workforce Commission of:

(A) fees to entities other than the department; and

(B) the Texas Workforce Commission's implementation costs; and

(2) for [For] each exemption granted under Section 521.1015 or 521.1811, [the department shall] deposit to the credit of the Texas mobility fund an amount [from the identification fee exemption account under Subsection (a)] that is equal to the amount of the waived fee that would otherwise be deposited to the mobility fund.

(c) The department may not:

(1) request a transfer under Subsection (b)(1) if the balance of the account for the fiscal year is less than three times the amount expended in the previous fiscal year for the waivers provided by Sections 521.1015(e) and 521.1811; or

(2) grant an exemption under Section 521.1015 or 521.1811 if money is not available in the identification fee exemption account to meet the requirements of Subsection (b)(2) [(b)].

(d) The department, in consultation with the Texas Workforce Commission, by rule shall establish a process by which transfers are made under Subsection (b).

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.

______________________________ ______________________________

President of the Senate Speaker of the House

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2054 passed the Senate on April 29, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0; and that the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 27, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.

______________________________ Secretary of the Senate

I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2054 passed the House, with amendment, on May 23, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 137, Nays 7, one present not voting.

______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House

Approved:

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Date

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Governor