BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

S.B. 229

By: Davis

Homeland Security & Public Safety

Committee Report (Unamended)

 

 

 

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

 

According to recent data from the Truckload Carriers Association, there are over 200,000 unfilled trucking jobs in the United States. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists commercial trucking as a high-demand job, with more than 300,000 additional positions expected by 2020. In response to this demand, the Military Commercial Driver's License Act was passed by Congress and signed into law last fall. That legislation allows states to waive residency requirements for commercial driver's licenses issued to service members who are active duty or reservists. The intent of the law is to make it easier for service members to find employment after leaving the military.

 

S.B. 229 seeks to allow commercial driver's licenses to be issued to active or reserve service members, whose temporary or permanent duty station is located in Texas, by waiving the current residency requirement.

 

As proposed, S.B. 229 amends current law relating to an exception to the domicile requirement for issuance of a commercial driver's license for certain military personnel.

 

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

 

S.B. 229 amends Transportation Code to authorize the Department of Public Safety to issue a commercial driver’s license to a member of the U.S. military, including a member of the National Guard or a reserve or auxiliary unit of any branch of the U.S. military, who has a domicile in another state, whose temporary or permanent duty station is located in Texas, and who has met the other requirements for a license, including having passed knowledge and skills tests for driving a commercial motor vehicle that comply with minimal federal standards established by certain federal regulations and having satisfied the requirements imposed by an applicable federal act, federal regulation, or state law.

 

EFFECTIVE DATE

 

September 1, 2013.