BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1080

By: Hughes

Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, in the interest of safety, a federal judge, a state judge, or the spouse of a federal or state judge may use the street address of the courthouse in lieu of the person's residence street address on the person's driver's license. Interested parties note, however, that this authorization does not extend to certain judges, including some judges who deal with certain civil commitments, because those judges are not included in the meaning of "state judge" as that term is defined for purposes of that statutory authorization. H.B. 1080 seeks to include these judges in that definition. 

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. 1080 amends the Transportation Code to expand the definition of "state judge," for purposes of statutory provisions relating to state driver's licenses and certificates, to include a judge of a statutory probate court of this state, an associate judge appointed under Government Code provisions relating to associate judges, and an associate judge appointed under Health and Safety Code provisions relating to court-ordered mental health services.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2015.