BILL ANALYSIS |
H.B. 1846 |
By: Ashby |
Transportation |
Committee Report (Unamended) |
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
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 Texas Department of Public Safety (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.
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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.
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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.
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ANALYSIS
H.B. 1846 amends the Transportation Code to replace the authorization for the Department of Public Safety (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.
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EFFECTIVE DATE
September 1, 2023.
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