BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2424

By: Hayes

Elections

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

On October 8, 2024, the office of the secretary of state issued Election Advisory No. 2024-30 addressing limited-term driver's licenses and identification cards in voting. Federal law requires temporary or limited-term licenses issued to noncitizens to clearly indicate that the license is temporary. Current state law allows an expired license to be used for voting if it expired within four years of presentation but does not distinguish between standard and limited-term licenses. H.B. 2424 seeks to address this issue by specifically excluding limited-term driver's licenses from the acceptable forms of photo identification for voting.

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. 2424 amends the Election Code to exclude the following driver's licenses from the documentation that is an acceptable form of photo identification for the purpose of accepting a voter:

· an original license, provisional license, learner license, or occupational license issued to a person who is not a citizen, national, or legal permanent resident of the United States or a refugee or asylee lawfully admitted into the United States; and

· an original or renewal license issued to such a person who is also 85 years of age or older.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2025.