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.