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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the issuance of an occupational driver's license. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 521.242, Transportation Code, is amended |
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by adding Subsections (b-1), (g), and (h) and amending Subsection |
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(d) to read as follows: |
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(b-1) A person whose driver's license is suspended under |
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Chapter 708 or denied renewal under Chapter 706 may apply for an |
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occupational license by filing a verified petition with the clerk |
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of a court: |
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(1) in which the person was convicted for an |
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underlying offense giving rise to the license suspension or denial; |
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or |
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(2) with whose order to pay or satisfy a judgment |
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ordering payment of a fine and cost the person failed to comply, |
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giving rise to the license denial. |
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(d) A petition filed under Subsection (b) or (b-1) must |
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state that the petitioner was: |
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(1) convicted in that court for an offense under the |
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laws of this state; or |
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(2) ordered by that court to pay or satisfy a judgment |
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ordering payment of a fine or cost. |
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(g) A court shall notify a person at sentencing that the |
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person may be entitled to an occupational license if: |
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(1) the person's driver's license is automatically |
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suspended following the conviction; |
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(2) the person's driver's license is suspended for |
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failure to pay surcharges associated with the conviction under |
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Chapter 708; or |
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(3) the person's driver's license is denied renewal |
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under Chapter 706 for failure to pay or satisfy a judgment ordering |
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the payment of a fine and cost in the manner ordered by the court. |
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(h) Each justice and municipal court shall provide a |
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standard petition form that a person may complete and file with the |
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clerk to apply for an occupational license. The form must include |
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instructions for obtaining a waiver of the application fee for |
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persons who are unable to pay. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |