BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 368

By: Sherman, Sr.

Homeland Security & Public Safety

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Given the high-risk nature of the job of a peace officer, state law allows officers to apply for and be issued a driver's license using an alternative address that is not the officer's actual residence. There have been calls to extend this privacy and security protection to state legislators and prosecutors as well, given that these are highly visible members of their communities and at increased risk of being harassed, or worse, by disgruntled community members. H.B. 368 seeks to extend this authorization.

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 rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Department of Public Safety in SECTION 1 of this bill.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 368 amends the Transportation Code to extend the authorization for a peace officer to apply for and be issued a driver's license using an alternative address to a state legislator and a prosecutor. Accordingly, the bill expands the scope of rulemaking for the Department of Public Safety (DPS) regarding application procedures and requires DPS to accept the legislator's or prosecutor's office address as an alternative address.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2021.