Bill Caption

Relating to the payment of fees and costs associated with driver education and safety courses and driver's license examinations for foster children or youth, former foster children or youth, and youth experiencing homelessness. 

Fiscal Notes

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

Bill Analysis

SB 2054 would require the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) to pay the fees associated with obtaining a driving and traffic safety course or driver's license examination for a person who is:

• eligible for a driver's license fee exemption based on their status as a foster child or youth, or homeless child or youth or who is,
• younger than 26 years of age and was in the managing conservatorship of the Department of Family and Protective Services on the day before the person's 18th birthday or a homeless child or youth. 

SB 2054 would further require the Department of Public Safety to request the comptroller to deposit money from the identification fee exemption account to the TWC in amounts sufficient to cover these fees and the department's administrative costs.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Action opposes SB 2054 because it infringes on the limited government principle by expanding an exemption for a specific group of individuals. It is not the proper role of government to subsidize these costs. Rather, it is more appropriately the role of charitable nonprofit organizations to provide this service.