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.