BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 298

By: DeAyala

Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The bill author has informed the committee that driver's licenses and personal identification certificates are among the most frequently used forms of identification across the United States. While current state law requires a Texas driver's license to include certain information such as the license holder's name, date of birth, and address, it does not require a driver's license to indicate a license holder's U.S. citizenship status. H.B. 298 seeks to promote the quick and reliable confirmation of citizenship status across the state by requiring a Texas driver's license and a personal identification certificate to include an indication that the license holder is a U.S. citizen if the license holder is a U.S. citizen.

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. 298 amends the Transportation Code to require a driver's license to include an indication that the license holder is a U.S. citizen if the license holder is a U.S. citizen. This requirement also applies to a personal identification certificate by virtue of the statutory requirement for a personal identification certificate to be similar in form to a driver's license.

H.B. 298 applies only to a driver's license or personal identification certificate issued or renewed on or after January 1, 2026.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2025.