BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 1846
88R7110 DIO-D	By: Ashby et al. (Nichols)
	Transportation
	5/4/2023
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Employers of truck drivers have observed a growing shortage of commercial driver's license (CDL) holders throughout the state. Federal regulations allow, and several states will provide, CDL skills and road testing for out-of-state driving school students. However, the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas (DPS) does not provide this service, which means that any out-of-state student must establish Texas residency in order to take a CDL test in Texas. Currently, DPS is not required to administer a skills test to an out-of-state CDL holder. Any out-of-state student must return to their home state to be issued a CDL, which places an unnecessary burden on students and decreases the likelihood of out-of-state students seeking a CDL. H.B. 1846 seeks to reduce the shortage of CDL holders by requiring DPS to test and issue CDLs to out-of-state students.

H.B. 1846 amends the Transportation Code to replace the authorization for DPS to administer a skills test to a person who holds a commercial learner's permit issued by another state or jurisdiction with a requirement for DPS to do so. The bill requires DPS, on completion, to send the test results to the state or jurisdiction that issued the person's permit.

H.B. 1846 amends current law relating to the skills test required for a commercial driver's license for certain commercial learner's permit holders.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 522.023(j), Transportation Code, as follows:

(j)� Requires, rather than authorizes, the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas (DPS) to administer a skills test to a person who holds a commercial learner's permit issued by another state or jurisdiction. Requires DPS, on completion, to send the skills test results to the state or jurisdiction that issued the person's commercial learner's permit.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2023.