Bill: HB 1078, 86(R) - 2019

Committee

House Homeland Security & Public Safety

2nd Chamber Committee

Senate State Affairs

Vote Recommendation

Vote Recommendation Economic Freedom Property Rights Personal Responsibility Limited Government Individual Liberty
Neutral Neutral Neutral Neutral Neutral Neutral

Author(s)

Tom Oliverson

Sponsor(s)

Brandon Creighton

Bill Caption

Relating to waiving certain driver's license and handgun license fees for certain applicants who hold a certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Fiscal Notes

The fiscal implications of the bill cannot be determined at this time as there would be an indeterminate loss of state fee revenue associated with the provisions of the bill.

Bill Analysis

HB 1078 would waive fees for driver's and handgun licenses if the person holds a certification in CPR. Those that are required to have CPR certification for employment or an occupational license would still be required to pay fees. 

Vote Recommendation Notes

Over the past several sessions we have opposed many bills to provide exemptions to various fees, including fees for a license to carry a handgun, on the basis that providing exemptions for preferred classes picks winners and losers and confers special benefits on preferred classes at the expense of everyone outside of the preferred classes. 

This is one of the few fee exemption bills we have seen which is broad based and offers an exemption that is available to anyone who is eligible to obtain a license to drive or to carry a handgun. Anyone who wishes to opt in to the exemption merely needs to become CPR certified. We support this approach which makes the exemption available to everyone who wants it.

We are concerned, however, that some people will be ineligible for the fee exemption merely because holding a CPR certification is a condition of their employment. Due to this provision we are neutral on a bill which we would otherwise support. Should this provision be removed we would fully support HB 1078.

Organizations Supporting

National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies
State Farm 
USAA 

Source URL (retrieved on 03/29/2024 10:03 AM): http://reports.texasaction.com/bill/86r/hb1078?print_view=true