BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

                                                                                                                                              S.B. 371

                                                                                                                                       By: Williams

                                                                                        Defense Affairs & State-Federal Relations

                                                                                                       Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

Currently, disabled veterans are exempt from paying the fee to obtain a driver's license, but not from paying the fee for obtaining a personal identification certificate from the Department of Public Safety.  Some disabled veterans who need official state identification may not qualify for a driver's license,  thereby requiring them to pay the fee for such identification.

 

As proposed, S.B. 371 exempts an honorably discharged service veteran with a 60 percent disability who receives disability compensation from the federal government from paying the personal identification certificate fee.

 

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. 

 

ANALYSIS

 

SB 371 amends Section 521.426(a), Transportation Code, to add a fee exemption for a personal identification certificate issued to a disabled veteran from the Department of Public Safety.

 

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

September 1, 2007.