H.B. No. 1137




AN ACT
relating to the authority of the Department of Public Safety to enter into agreements with foreign countries for issuance of driver's licenses. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 521, Transportation Code, is amended by adding Section 521.0305 to read as follows: Sec. 521.0305. AGREEMENTS WITH FOREIGN COUNTRIES. (a) The department may enter into an agreement with a foreign country under which: (1) a person who is 18 years of age or older and who has in the person's possession a license issued to the person by that country that is similar to a Class C driver's license issued under this chapter may receive a Class C driver's license issued in a priority manner under this chapter; and (2) a person who is 18 years of age or older and who has in the person's possession a Class C driver's license issued under this chapter may receive a license similar to a Class C driver's license issued in a priority manner from the foreign country. (b) The department may only enter into an agreement with a country under Subsection (a) if: (1) the foreign country and this state are both parties to a reciprocity agreement in driver licensing; and (2) the foreign country's motor vehicle laws, ordinances, and administrative rules and regulations are similar to those of this state, as determined by the department. (c) A person who is not a citizen of the United States must present to the department documentation issued by the United States agency responsible for citizenship and immigration authorizing the person to be in the United States before the person may be issued a driver's license under an agreement under this section. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2005. ______________________________ ______________________________ President of the Senate Speaker of the House I certify that H.B. No. 1137 was passed by the House on May 9, 2005, by the following vote: Yeas 144, Nays 0, 3 present, not voting. ______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House I certify that H.B. No. 1137 was passed by the Senate on May 24, 2005, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0. ______________________________ Secretary of the Senate APPROVED: _____________________ Date _____________________ Governor