H.B. No. 279 amends the Election Code in Texas to update the acceptable forms of photo identification required for voting. The bill specifies that acceptable forms of ID now include a driver's license, election identification certificate, personal identification card, military identification card, citizenship certificate, passport, and a license to carry a handgun, all of which must be issued to the voter and not expired or expired no earlier than four years before presentation. Additionally, the bill introduces new forms of identification, including an official Native American identification card or tribal document that contains the voter's photograph and address, an identification card from a public or private institution of higher education in Texas with the voter's photograph, and an identification card issued by a state agency that also contains the voter's photograph.

The bill replaces the term "person" with "voter" in several instances to clarify that the identification must be issued specifically to the voter. It also adds new categories of acceptable identification, enhancing access for voters who may not have traditional forms of ID. The act is set to take effect immediately if it receives a two-thirds majority vote in both houses; otherwise, it will take effect 91 days after the legislative session concludes.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Election Code 63.0101 (Election Code 63)