79R2369 JD-D

By:  Goolsby                                                      H.B. No. 327


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the identification information required of applicants for a driver's license or for certain public benefits, public services, or governmental employment. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 521.142, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Subsection (i) to read as follows: (i) The department may not accept, recognize, or rely on an identity document issued to an applicant by a consular office or consular official of another country, including a matricula consular issued by a consular office of the United Mexican States located in this country, as primary, secondary, or supporting proof of the applicant's identity. SECTION 2. Subtitle B, Title 10, Government Code, is amended by adding Chapter 2057 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 2057. RECOGNITION OF CONSULAR IDENTITY DOCUMENTS
Sec. 2057.001. GOVERNMENTAL RECOGNITION OF CONSULAR IDENTITY DOCUMENT OF APPLICANT FOR PUBLIC BENEFIT OR SERVICE. In the provision by an agency or political subdivision of this state of a public benefit or service that requires the applicant for or recipient of the public benefit or service to verify the applicant's or recipient's identity, the agency or political subdivision may not accept, recognize, or rely on an identity document issued to the applicant or recipient by a consular office or consular official of another country, including a matricula consular issued by a consular office of the United Mexican States located in this country, as primary, secondary, or supporting evidence of the applicant's or recipient's identity. Sec. 2057.002. GOVERNMENTAL RECOGNITION OF CONSULAR IDENTITY DOCUMENT OF APPLICANT FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT. An agency or political subdivision of this state may not accept, recognize, or rely on an identity document issued to the applicant by a consular office or consular official of another country, including a matricula consular issued by a consular office of the United Mexican States located in this country, as primary, secondary, or supporting evidence of the identity of an applicant for employment by the agency or political subdivision. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2005.