BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1148

By: Smith, Wayne

Transportation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, a disabled veteran is exempt from paying the fee to obtain a driver's license but is not exempt from paying the fee for obtaining a personal identification certificate from the Department of Public Safety. A disabled veteran who needs official state identification and who may not qualify for a driver's license is required to pay the fee for such identification.

H.B. 1148 exempts an honorably discharged veteran with at least a 60 percent disability rating and 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

H.B. 1148 amends the Transportation Code to add the fee for the issuance of a personal identification certificate to the driver's license fees from which a veteran of service in the armed forces of the United States is exempt if the veteran is not subject to registration requirements under the sex offender registration program, was honorably discharged, has a service-related disability of at least 60 percent, and receives compensation from the United States because of the disability.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2011.