BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1951
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Given that driver's licenses or state identification certificates may soon be required in order for an individual to vote, it will be important that voters maintain possession of such identification cards. This bill creates a misdemeanor offense, which would entail less severe penalties than the state jail felony offense.
As proposed, S.B. 1951 amends current law relating to the penalty for theft of a driver's license, commercial driver's license, or personal identification certificate.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Section 31.03(e), Penal Code, to provide that except as provided by Subsection (f) (relating to certain circumstances under which a punishment is increased to the next higher category of offense), an offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor if the value of the property stolen is $500 or more but less than $1,500; or the property stolen is a driver's license, commercial driver's license, or personal identification certificate issued by this state or another state. Makes nonsubstantive changes.
SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2009.