SB144 - Relating to requiring a voter to present proof of identification.

  89R2909 LRM-D     By: Menéndez, et al. S.B. No. 144       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to requiring a voter to present proof of identification.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 13.002(i), Election Code, is amended to   read as follows:          (i)  An applicant who wishes to receive an exemption from the   requirements of Section 63.001(b) on the basis of disability must   submit:                (1)  written documentation:                      (A)  from the United States Social Security   Administration evidencing the applicant has been determined to have   a disability; or                      (B)  from the United States Department of Veterans   Affairs evidencing the applicant has a disability rating of at   least 50 percent; and                (2)  a statement in a form prescribed by the secretary   of state that the applicant does not have [ a form of ] identification   required by Section 63.001(b) in a form described by [ acceptable   under ] Section 63.0101.          SECTION 2.  Sections 63.001(b) and (i), Election Code, are   amended to read as follows:          (b)  Except as provided by Subsection (h), on offering to   vote, a voter must present to an election officer at the polling   place:                (1)  one form of photo identification listed in Section   63.0101(a); [ or ]                (2)  one form of identification listed in Section   63.0101(b) (1), (2), or (3) accompanied by the declaration described   by Subsection (i) ;                 (3)     two forms of identification listed under Section   63.0101(b), including one form that contains the voter's current   address; or                 (4)     two forms of identification listed under Section   63.0101(b)(4) accompanied by the declaration described by   Subsection (i) .          (i)  If the requirement for identification prescribed by   Subsection (b)(1) or (3) is not met, an election officer shall   notify the voter that the voter may be accepted for voting if the   voter meets the requirement for identification prescribed by   Subsection (b)(2) or (4) and executes a declaration declaring the   voter has a reasonable impediment to meeting the requirement for   identification prescribed by Subsection (b)(1) or (3) . A person is   subject to prosecution for perjury under Chapter 37, Penal Code, or   under Section 63.0013 for a false statement or false information on   the declaration. The secretary of state shall prescribe the form of   the declaration. The form shall include:                (1)  a notice that a person is subject to prosecution   for perjury under Chapter 37, Penal Code, or under Section 63.0013   for a false statement or false information on the declaration;                (2)  a statement that the voter swears or affirms that   the information contained in the declaration is true, that the   person described in the declaration is the same person appearing at   the polling place to sign the declaration, and that the voter faces   a reasonable impediment to procuring the identification prescribed   by Subsection (b)(1) or (3) ;                (3)  a place for the voter to indicate one of the   following impediments:                      (A)  lack of transportation;                      (B)  lack of birth certificate or other documents   needed to obtain the identification prescribed by Subsection   (b)(1);                      (C)  work schedule;                      (D)  lost or stolen identification;                      (E)  disability or illness;                      (F)  family responsibilities; and                      (G)  the identification prescribed by Subsection   (b)(1) or (3) has been applied for but not received;                (4)  a place for the voter to sign and date the   declaration;                (5)  a place for the election judge to sign and date the   declaration;                (6)  a place to note the polling place at which the   declaration is signed; and                (7)  a place for the election judge to note which form   of identification prescribed by Subsection (b)(2) or (4) the voter   presented.          SECTION 3.  Sections 63.0101(a) and (b), Election Code, are   amended to read as follows:          (a)  The following documentation is an acceptable form of   photo identification under this chapter:                (1)  a driver's license, election identification   certificate, or personal identification card issued to the voter     [ person ] by the Department of Public Safety that has not expired or   that expired no earlier than four years before the date of   presentation;                (2)  a United States military identification card that   contains the voter's  [ person's ] photograph that has not expired or   that expired no earlier than four years before the date of   presentation;                (3)  a United States citizenship certificate issued to   the voter  [ person ] that contains the voter's  [ person's ] photograph;                (4)  a United States passport book or card issued to the   voter  [ person ] that has not expired or that expired no earlier than   four years before the date of presentation; [ or ]                (5)  a license to carry a handgun issued to the voter     [ person ] by the Department of Public Safety that has not expired or   that expired no earlier than four years before the date of   presentation ;                 (6)  an official Native American tribal document that:                       (A)     contains the voter's photograph and address;   and                       (B)     is issued by a tribe that is federally   recognized and located in this state; or                 (7)     any other official government document issued to   the voter and containing the voter's name, address, and photograph .          (b)  The following documentation is acceptable as proof of   identification under this chapter:                (1)  a government document that shows the name and   address of the voter, including the voter's voter registration   certificate;                (2)  one of the following documents that shows the name   and address of the voter:                      (A)  a copy of a current utility bill;                      (B)  a bank or credit union statement;                      (C)  a government check; or                      (D)  a paycheck or pension plan statement ; [ or ]                (3)  a certified copy of a domestic birth certificate   or other document confirming birth that is admissible in a court of   law and establishes the voter's  [ person's ] identity ; or                 (4)     two of the following documents issued or delivered   to the voter, one of which must contain the name and address of the   voter:                       (A)     a Medicare, Medicaid, or Department of   Veterans Affairs identification card or other health insurance   identification card;                       (B)  a Department of Defense identification card;                       (C)  a social security identification card;                       (D)  a label on a prescription drug container;                       (E)     an identity bracelet issued by a hospital or   long-term care facility;                       (F)  a credit or debit card;                       (G)  an identification card issued by an employer;                       (H)     a student identification card issued by a   public or private high school or institution of higher education;                       (I)  a library card;                       (J)     a Texas Department of Criminal Justice   document indicating release or parole;                       (K)  a fishing or hunting license;                       (L)  a lease or mortgage for real property;                       (M)  a motor vehicle title;                       (N)     an insurance certificate, policy   declaration, or other document demonstrating proof of insurance;                       (O)     a letter from a public or private school or   institution of higher education;                       (P)  a personal check;                       (Q)     an official Native American tribal document   that is issued by a tribe that is federally recognized and located   in this state;                       (R)  a blood donor card;                       (S)  a pub [Text truncated for display. 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