BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1356

By: Morales Shaw

Elections

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Transportation worker identification credentials, or TWIC cards, are used by employees in industries that contain critical infrastructure such as chemical plants, railroads, and ports. Although these cards are government-issued forms of photo identification, they are not considered acceptable forms of voter identification. Workers that are required to obtain these credentials often work erratic, unconventional schedules which can make voting in local and federal elections burdensome. H.B. 1356 seeks to address this issue by including a TWIC card among the valid forms of voter identification.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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

H.B. 1356 amends the Election Code to include among the acceptable forms of photo identification for purposes of accepting a voter a transportation worker identification credential card issued by TSA that has not expired or that expired no earlier than four years before the date of presentation.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.