BILL ANALYSIS


                                                         S.B. 472
                                                       By: Bivins
                                                    State Affairs
                                                           3-7-95
                                     Committee Report (Unamended)
BACKGROUND

In 1989, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) adopted, by
rule, 49 C.F.R. Part 391 of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Regulations.  The regulations provide minimum physical requirements
for individuals who wish to qualify for a commercial driver's
license; the minimum vision standard is 20/40 in each eye
individually and together, with or without corrective lenses.  Many
intrastate drivers have been left unable to obtain a commercial
driver's license because their vision was below federal standards.

Between September 1, 1989 and December 31, 1989, the federal
government allowed the DPS to grant waivers from vision
requirements.  Waivers for physical impairments such as amputation
were already authorized.  However, after January 1, 1990, a large
population of intrastate drivers still existed who could no longer
apply for a commercial drivers license.

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 472 authorizes the Department of Public Safety to
provide for a waiver of the visual standards for a commercial
driver's license if the person who is applying for or who has been
issued the license is a person who drives a commercial motor
vehicle only in this state.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is granted
to the Department of Public Safety in SECTION 1 (Section 12B,
Article 6687b-2, V.T.C.S.) of this bill.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Article 6687b-2, V.T.C.S. (The Texas Commercial
Driver's License Act), by adding Section 12B, as follows:

     Sec. 12B.  WAIVER OF VISUAL STANDARDS FOR INTRASTATE DRIVER. 
     Authorizes the Department of Public Safety, by rule, to
     provide for a waiver of the visual standards for a commercial
     driver's license if the person who is applying for or who has
     been issued the license is a person who drives a commercial
     motor vehicle only in this state.
SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
           Effective date: upon passage.