BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                       H.B. 178

79R750 JRJ-D                                                                                                    By: Denny (Averitt)

State Affairs

5/1/2005

Engrossed

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

The 78th Legislature, Regular Session, 2003, adopted S.B. 1445, which specified the individuals who were permitted to access or use the electronically readable information contained on a driver's license.  Election officials were inadvertently left off the list of individuals allowed to "swipe" a driver's license.  H.B. 178 clarifies that election officials may access the electronically readable information on a driver's license to verify the identity of a voter.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 63, Election Code, by adding Section 63.0102, as follows:

Sec. 63.0102.  USE OF CERTAIN ELECTRONICALLY READABLE INFORMATION.  (a)  Authorizes an election officer to access electronically readable information on a driver's license or personal identification card for proof of identification when determining whether a voter shall be accepted for voting.

(b)  Requires the secretary of state to prescribe any necessary procedures to implement this section.

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 521.126(d), Transportation Code, to make a conforming change.

SECTION 3.  Effective date:  September 1, 2005.