BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 983

By: Bettencourt

Public Health

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, Texas voters must present photo identification in order to be eligible to vote. There are several acceptable forms of photo identification such as a valid driver's license, a passport, or an election identification certificate. Interested parties explain that in order to receive an election identification certificate an individual must show proof of U.S. citizenship, which is verifiable through a birth certificate. However, the parties continue, an individual who wishes to obtain a certified copy of a birth certificate must pay a fee, and although state law allows for certain exemptions from the fee, the current exemptions are limited in scope. S.B. 983 seeks to allow Texas voters to be able to obtain a birth certificate without a fee for the purpose of obtaining an election identification certificate.

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

S.B. 983 amends the Health and Safety Code to require the state registrar, a local registrar, or a county clerk to issue without fee a certified copy of a birth record to an applicant who appears in person to obtain the record and who states that the applicant is requesting the record for the purpose of obtaining an election identification certificate issued under the Transportation Code. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

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