79R12612 MTB-D


By:  Smith of Harris                                              H.B. No. 1137



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the authority of the Department of Public Safety to 
enter into agreements with foreign countries for issuance of 
driver's licenses.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subchapter B, Chapter 521, Transportation Code, 
is amended by adding Section 521.0305 to read as follows:
	Sec. 521.0305.  AGREEMENTS WITH FOREIGN COUNTRIES. (a) The 
department may enter into an agreement with a foreign country under 
which:
		(1)  a person who is 18 years of age or older and who has 
in the person's possession a license issued to the person by that 
country that is similar to a Class C driver's license issued under 
this chapter may receive a Class C driver's license issued in a 
priority manner under this chapter; and
		(2)  a person who is 18 years of age or older and who has 
in the person's possession a Class C driver's license issued under 
this chapter may receive a license similar to a Class C driver's 
license issued in a priority manner from the foreign country.
	(b)  The department may only enter into an agreement with a 
country under Subsection (a) if:
		(1)  the foreign country and this state are both 
parties to a reciprocity agreement in driver licensing; and
		(2)  the foreign country's motor vehicle laws, 
ordinances, and administrative rules and regulations are similar to 
those of this state, as determined by the department.
	(c)  A person who is not a citizen of the United States must 
present to the department documentation 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.  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.