By:  West                                                         S.B. No. 250


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the information contained on a driver's license or 
personal identification certificate.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subsection (a), Section 521.001, Transportation 
Code, is amended by adding Subdivision (7-a) to read as follows:
		(7-a)  "Race or ethnicity" means of a particular 
descent, including Caucasian, African, Hispanic, Asian, or Native 
American descent.
	SECTION 2.  Section 521.101, Transportation Code, is amended 
by adding Subsection (j) to read as follows:
	(j)  A personal identification certificate must include the 
race or ethnicity of the holder.  A holder must be informed of the 
right to elect not to have the holder's race or ethnicity stated on 
the holder's personal identification certificate.
	SECTION 3.  Subsection (a), Section 521.121, Transportation 
Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(a)  The driver's license must include:                                        
		(1)  a distinguishing number assigned by the department 
to the license holder;
		(2)  a color photograph of the entire face of the 
holder;                   
		(3)  the full name, date of birth, and residence 
address of the holder; [and]
		(4)  a brief description of the holder; and                            
		(5)  the race or ethnicity of the holder.  A holder must 
be informed of the right to elect not to have the holder's race or 
ethnicity stated on the holder's driver's license.
	SECTION 4.  Subsection (c), Section 521.142, Transportation 
Code, is amended to read as follows:
	(c)  The application must state:                                               
		(1)  the sex of the applicant;                                                
		(2)  the residence address of the applicant;                                  
		(3)  whether the applicant has been licensed to drive a 
motor vehicle before;
		(4)  if previously licensed, when and by what state or                        

country;                                                                      
		(5)  whether that license has been suspended or revoked 
or a license application denied;
		(6)  the date and reason for the suspension, 
revocation, or denial;         
		(7)  whether the applicant is a citizen of the United 
States; [and]
		(8)  the county of residence of the applicant; and                     
		(9)  the race or ethnicity of the applicant.  The 
applicant must be informed of the right to elect not to have the 
applicant's race or ethnicity stated on the application.
	SECTION 5.  This Act applies only to a driver's license or 
personal identification certificate for which an original or 
renewal application is submitted on or after the effective date of 
this Act.
	SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.