SRC-JBJ H.B. 1833 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 1833 76R9560 JMC-DBy: Counts (Lucio) State Affairs 5/13/1999 Engrossed DIGEST Currently, there is no system available to justices of the peace and municipal court judges to identify them as members of the judicial system. Some instances in which identification as a judge might be helpful include juvenile and truancy hearings in facilities outside the judge's jurisdiction, split jurisdictions, and, if it is necessary, for a judge or justice to make a family violence arrest. Another bill introduced this session would authorize judges to carry a weapon. In this instance, the identification would be needed to prove that the weapon is being carried legally. H.B. 1833 would authorize the Texas Department of Transportation to issue an identification certificate to a municipal judge or justice of the peace. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 1833 authorizes the Texas Department of Transportation to issue an identification certificate to a municipal judge or justice of the peace. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 521E, Transportation Code, by adding Section 521.103, as follows: Sec. 521.103. JUSTICE OF THE PEACE OR MUNICIPAL COURT JUDGE CERTIFICATE. Authorizes the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to issue a notated personal identification certificate (certificate) to a person who is appointed or elected as the judge of a municipal court (judge) or the justice of a justice court (justice). Authorizes TxDOT to indicate the office on the certificate by word, symbol, or code. Sets forth the contents of an application for the certificate. Provides that the certificate expires on the date the term of office of the judge or justice expires. Prohibits TxDOT from charging a fee for issuing the certificate. SECTION 2. Requires TxDOT to prescribe a form of an application as required by Section 521.103(b), Transportation Code, as added by this Act, not later than October 1, 1999. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 4. Emergency clause.