H.B. 479 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS H.B. 479 By: Hunter Transportation Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, males between the ages of 18 and 26 are required to register with the United States Selective Service System. Texans of this age who apply for a driver's license or certificate are presented with a consent statement by the Texas Department of Public Safety, on which they can accept or decline to register with the Selective Service System. The Department then forwards to the Selective Service System, in electronic format, the responses of those who consent to register. HB 479 seeks to amend the Transportation Code so that any male applicant of a driver's license or personal identification certificate who is between the ages of 18 and 26 will automatically be registered for the United States Selective Service System. 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 HB 479 amends Section 521.147 of the Transportation Code to automatically register any male applicant of a driver's license or personal identification certificate who is between the ages of 18 and 26 for the United States Selective Service System. The bill requires the Department to notify the applicant that application for a license or certificate constitutes the applicant's consent to registration with the service, and exempts those who have previously registered. The bill further requires the Department to post a sign in English and Spanish providing the information contained in the notification. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2003.