Relating to the revocation of a driver's license or personal identification certificate and to disqualification from operating a commercial motor vehicle.
Summary
HB 4804 amends Texas Transportation Code provisions governing automatic revocation of driver’s licenses and personal identification certificates for certain registered sex offenders and persons subject to related registration requirements. The bill updates Section 521.348 to clarify that a driver’s license is automatically revoked if the holder is required to register under Chapter 62 or 65 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and fails to apply for renewal as required by the applicable registration article. It also amends Section 521.101(h) to apply the same automatic revocation rule to personal identification certificates.
The bill further renames the relevant Transportation Code heading to explicitly reference “certain sex offenders and terrorists,” and it repeals two existing Transportation Code provisions tied to commercial motor vehicle disqualification. The act takes effect September 1, 2025.
Impact
HB 4804 changes state law by tightening and clarifying automatic revocation procedures for driver’s licenses and state-issued ID cards held by people subject to sex offender or terrorism-related registration requirements who do not complete required renewals. It also removes two Transportation Code provisions, Sections 521.297(b) and 522.087(b), which affects the statutory framework for license revocation and commercial motor vehicle disqualification. The practical effect is to strengthen administrative enforcement against noncompliance with registration-renewal obligations and to align the Transportation Code with the referenced criminal procedure registration articles.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been broadly supported and moved through both chambers with overwhelming margins. The House passed it 133-0 on third reading after a strong second-reading vote, and the Senate also approved it, with only one recorded no vote on the procedural suspension and on third reading. The voting pattern suggests general bipartisan agreement and little visible opposition in the available record.
Contention
No committee transcript is available, so specific arguments for or against the bill are not documented here. Based on the text, any contention would likely center on the policy of automatic revocation for people subject to registration requirements, the inclusion of “terrorists” in the heading, and the repeal of provisions related to commercial motor vehicle disqualification. However, the recorded votes indicate that any disagreement was limited and did not materially impede passage.
Relating to the assumption of the powers and duties relating to driver's licenses, personal identification certificates, and other related programs, powers, and duties by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.
Relating to the inclusion of a person's sex on driver's licenses, commercial driver's licenses, commercial learner's permits, and personal identification certificates.
Disqualification from operating a commercial motor vehicle after commission of certain offenses involving a commercial motor vehicle requirement provision