BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 441

By: Gonzales, Larry

Homeland Security & Public Safety

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, a person may use as a restricted occupational driver's license for a certain period a copy of a court order specifying the judge's findings and restrictions in granting the license. Interested parties note that if the Department of Public Safety (DPS) fails to send the license to the driver before the court order expires, the driver risks breaking the law or missing work due to the lack of proper licensing documentation. H.B. 441 seeks to keep drivers on the road legally by giving DPS adequate time to issue the occupational driver's license.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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. 441 amends the Transportation Code to extend the period during which a person awaiting issuance of an occupational driver's license may use a copy of the court order specifying the judge's findings and restrictions in granting the license as a restricted occupational driver's license from a period lasting until the 31st day after the date on which the order takes effect to a period lasting until the 45th day after the date on which the order takes effect.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.