BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 2046
	By: Fallon
	Criminal Justice
	4/27/2019
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Last session, the legislature enacted H.B. 1345, which allowed the modernizing of the technology of the photograph on driver's licenses by removing the word "color" from the requirement that the license include a "color photograph." A similar provision was also enacted as part of a larger bill, H.B. 3050. Both bills passed the Senate on the Local and Uncontested Calendar.

As a result, the state can enhance the security of the licenses by utilizing laser-etching technology that imprints the photograph directly onto the license, as opposed to having a photograph on a separate layer that can be peeled apart.

The bill also included "personal identification certificates" and "election identification certificates," since their respective statutes require them to be "similar in form to but distinguishable in color from" driver's licenses.

However, other identification cards that are not located in the Transportation Code were not included in the bill, although they would benefit from the same security and modernization upgrade.

S.B. 2046 would remove the word "color" from the "color photograph" requirement for private security guards' identification cards (Section 1702.232, Occupations Code) and a license to carry a handgun (Section 411.179, Government Code).

As proposed, S.B. 2046 amends current law relating to the photograph on certain forms of state issued identification.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 1702.232(c), Occupations Code, to require the Private Security Board-issued pocket card to contain certain information, including a photograph, rather than a color photograph, affixed to the pocket card by the board at the time the card is issued, and the signature of the registrant.

SECTION 2. Amends Section 411.179(a), Government Code, to require a license to carry a handgun to include a photograph, rather than a color photograph, of the license holder.

SECTION 3. Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2019.