BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 653

By: Neave

Homeland Security & Public Safety

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Reports indicate that the recently established grant program for testing sexual assault evidence kits has been successful in raising money through the collection of voluntary contributions during the application process for an original or renewal driver's license or personal identification certificate. It has been noted that there are many people who have expressed interest in making contributions to the grant program but have been unable to do so when applying for a corrected or duplicate driver's license or certificate. H.B. 653 seeks to address this issue by providing for the opportunity to contribute to the program during the application process for such a corrected or duplicate license or 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

H.B. 653 amends the Transportation Code to include an application for a corrected or duplicate driver's license, personal identification certificate, or commercial driver's license among the applications on which a person may contribute $1 or more to the evidence testing grant program. The bill requires the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to include space on the first page of each such application that allows an applicant to indicate the amount that the applicant is voluntarily contributing to the grant program and requires DPS to provide an opportunity for the applicant to contribute to the grant program during the application process on the DPS website. The bill's provisions apply to a person who applies for a corrected or duplicate driver's license, commercial driver's license, or personal identification certificate on or after January 1, 2020.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2019.