BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 372

By: Allen

Homeland Security & Public Safety

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been suggested that the penalties related to driving with an invalid license are too harsh and result in unnecessary and expensive incarceration of offenders. H.B. 372 seeks to address this issue by eliminating the penalty enhancement for a subsequent conviction of driving with an invalid 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. 372 repeals Section 521.457(f), Transportation Code, which enhances from a Class C misdemeanor to a Class B misdemeanor the penalty for driving with an invalid driver's license if it is shown on the trial of the offense that the person has previously been convicted of such an offense or of an offense for operating a motor vehicle with a suspended vehicle registration or that the person, at the time of the offense, was operating the motor vehicle in violation of the motor vehicle liability insurance requirement.  The bill amends the Transportation Code to make a conforming change.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.