BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 964

By: Hughes

Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Current law requires applicants for a Texas driver's license or personal identification certificate to provide the Department of Public Safety (DPS) with proof of United States citizenship or, if the applicant is not a U.S. citizen, evidence of lawful presence, but does not require licenses or personal identification certificates issued to noncitizens to be distinguishable from those issued to U.S. citizens. S.B. 964 seeks to ensure that Texas driver's licenses and personal identification certificates issued to non-citizens clearly indicate that their holders are not eligible to vote.

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

S.B. 964 amends the Transportation Code to change the appearance of a personal identification certificate or a driver's license issued to a person or applicant who is not a citizen of the United States as follows:

· with respect to a personal identification certificate:

o orient the information on the certificate to clearly distinguish the certificate from a personal identification certificate issued to a person who is a citizen; and

o  display the phrase "NOT ELIGIBLE TO VOTE" on the front of the certificate in the same font size as the individual's personal identification certificate number; and

· with respect to a driver's license:

o orient the information on the license vertically, regardless of the age of the applicant, to clearly distinguish the license from a driver's license issued to a person who is a citizen; and

o display the phrase "NOT ELIGIBLE TO VOTE" on the front of the license in the same font size as the individual's driver's license number.

S.B. 964 applies only to a personal identification certificate or driver's license issued or renewed on or after the bill's effective date. A personal identification certificate or driver's license issued or renewed before the bill's effective date is governed by the law in effect when the license or certificate was issued or renewed, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2025.