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AN ACT
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relating to prohibiting the suspension of a person's driver's |
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license or extension of the period of a driver's license suspension |
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for certain driving while license invalid convictions; authorizing |
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a fee. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 521.292(a), Transportation Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(a) Except as provided by Section 521.457(h), the [The] |
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department shall suspend the person's license if the department |
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determines that the person: |
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(1) has operated a motor vehicle on a highway while the |
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person's license was suspended, canceled, disqualified, or |
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revoked, or without a license after an application for a license was |
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denied; |
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(2) is a habitually reckless or negligent operator of |
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a motor vehicle; |
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(3) is a habitual violator of the traffic laws; |
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(4) has permitted the unlawful or fraudulent use of |
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the person's license; |
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(5) has committed an offense in another state or |
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Canadian province that, if committed in this state, would be |
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grounds for suspension; |
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(6) has been convicted of two or more separate |
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offenses of a violation of a restriction imposed on the use of the |
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license; |
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(7) has been responsible as a driver for any accident |
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resulting in serious personal injury or serious property damage; |
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(8) is under 18 years of age and has been convicted of |
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two or more moving violations committed within a 12-month period; |
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or |
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(9) has committed an offense under Section 545.421. |
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SECTION 2. Section 521.343(c), Transportation Code, is |
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amended to read as follows: |
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(c) Except as provided by Section 521.457(h), if [If] the |
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license holder is convicted of operating a motor vehicle while the |
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license to operate a motor vehicle is cancelled, disqualified, |
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suspended, revoked, or denied, the period is extended for the same |
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term as the original suspension or disqualification, in addition to |
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any penalty assessed under this chapter or Chapter 522. |
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SECTION 3. Section 521.457, Transportation Code, is amended |
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by adding Subsections (h), (i), and (j) to read as follows: |
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(h) Except as provided by Subsection (i), the department may |
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not suspend a person's driver's license under Section |
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521.292(a)(1), or extend the period a person's driver's license is |
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suspended under Section 521.343(c), for a conviction of an offense |
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under this section if: |
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(1) the offense was committed before September 1, |
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2019; |
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(2) the person was convicted of the offense after |
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August 31, 2023; and |
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(3) the person pays the department the fee required |
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under Section 521.313(a) or any other fee required for the |
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reinstatement of the person's driver's license in the manner |
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prescribed by the department. |
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(i) Subsection (h) does not apply to: |
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(1) a commercial driver's license issued under Chapter |
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522; or |
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(2) a person who was transporting hazardous materials |
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or operating a commercial motor vehicle at the time of the offense |
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under this section. |
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(j) The fee collected under Subsection (h)(3) shall be |
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deposited to the credit of the Texas mobility fund. |
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SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |
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______________________________ |
______________________________ |
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President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 842 was passed by the House on April |
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13, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 147, Nays 0, 2 present, not |
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voting. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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I certify that H.B. No. 842 was passed by the Senate on May 3, |
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2023, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 1. |
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______________________________ |
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Secretary of the Senate |
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APPROVED: _____________________ |
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Date |
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_____________________ |
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Governor |