BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 1137
79R12612 MTB-D By: Smith, Wayne (Seliger)
Transportation & Homeland Security
AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Currently, a number of Texans working for multinational corporations are stationed overseas for long periods of time for work-related purposes and are finding it difficult to secure foreign driver's licenses.
H.B. 1137 authorizes the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to enter into an agreement with a foreign country whereby Texans 18 years or older would be able to receive an equivalent driver's license issued by that country upon presentation of their Class C Texas licenses. Nonresidents would be similarly able to present a foreign driver's license in order to procure a Texas license. It also provides that DPS may only enter into such a reciprocity agreement if it determines that the foreign country has similar motor vehicle laws, ordinances, and administrative rules.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter B, Chapter 521, Transportation Code, by adding Section 521.0305, as follows:
Sec. 521.0305. AGREEMENTS WITH FOREIGN COUNTRIES. (a) Authorizes the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to enter into a specific agreement with a foreign country regarding the possession of a Class C driver's license.
(b) Authorizes DPS to enter into an agreement with a country under Subsection (a) if certain conditions are met.
(c) Requires a person who is not a citizen of the United States to present documentation to DPS issued by the United States agency responsible for citizenship and immigration authorizing the person to be in the United States before the person may be issued a driver's license under an agreement under this section.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2005.