BILL ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 3395

By: Ashby

Homeland Security & Public Safety

Committee Report (Substituted)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, only Department of Public Safety (DPS) driver's license offices can administer the knowledge test required to obtain a commercial driver's license (CDL). The application process for a CDL can be burdensome when considering the long wait-times and lengthy travel distance to the DPS offices where the test is administered. This is especially burdensome for Texans in rural areas of the state where the nearest DPS testing location can be over an hour away. C.S.H.B. 3395 seeks to make the process of obtaining a CDL easier for all Texans by allowing DPS to delegate its authority to administer the knowledge test.

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

C.S.H.B. 3395 amends the Transportation Code to authorize the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to delegate its authority to administer the knowledge test required for a commercial driver's license to another person, including another state agency in Texas or another state, an employer, a private driver training facility or other private institution, or a department, agency, or instrumentality of local government, under the following circumstances:

· the test is the same that would be administered by DPS;

· the administration of the test is authorized by federal law; and

· the person provides each applicant who has a reading impairment an opportunity to, at the applicant's option, take the test orally or have the questions read to the applicant and answer in writing.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2021.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL AND SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 3395 differs from the original only by including a Texas Legislative Council draft number in the footer.