HB647 - Relating to the removal of certain restrictions imposed on driver's licenses; authorizing a fee.

      H.B. No. 647         AN ACT   relating to the removal of certain restrictions imposed on driver's   licenses; authorizing a fee.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 521.221, Transportation Code, is amended   by adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:           (e)  The department:                 (1)     shall remove a restriction that requires the   license holder to wear corrective lenses for vision and mail to the   license holder a new driver's license that does not include the   restriction if the license holder submits to the department:                       (A)     a written statement from a licensed physician   or optometrist verifying that the license holder's vision has been   surgically corrected and the license holder no longer requires   corrective lenses for vision; and                       (B)  the required fee;                 (2)     shall establish a process by which a person may   submit to the department electronically or by mail the form and fee   described by Subdivision (1); and                 (3)     may not mail a new driver's license under this   subsection to a person whose driver's license record indicates that   the person is subject to the registration requirements of Chapter   62, Code of Criminal Procedure.          SECTION 2.  The Texas Department of Public Safety is   required to implement this Act only if the legislature appropriates   money specifically for that purpose.  If the legislature does not   appropriate money specifically for that purpose, the agency may,   but is not required to, implement this Act using other   appropriations available for that purpose.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.       ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                   I certify that H.B. No. 647 was passed by the House on April   10, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 145, Nays 1, 1 present, not   voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.   No. 647 on May 28, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 115, Nays 23,   1 present, not voting.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House               I certify that H.B. No. 647 was passed by the Senate, with   amendments, on May 25, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays   0.     ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate      APPROVED: __________________                   Date                       __________________                 Governor