BILL ANALYSIS S.B. 1252 By: Montford (Coleman) 05-17-95 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND The Texas Driver License Act currently allows the Department of Public Safety (department) to thumbprint applicants for original or renewal driver's license. The department has no authority, however, to thumbprint applicants for a duplicate driver's license or applicants for personal identification cards. Additionally, Section 51.15 of the Family Code restricts the department's authority to fingerprint certain children. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 1252 requires certain information to be provided upon application for original, renewal, or duplicate driver's license and personal identification cards; requires all license applicants to provide fingerprints and other required information. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 6, Article 6687b, V.T.C.S. (Texas Driver License Act), by adding Subsection (d), to authorize all applicants for an original, renewal, or duplicate driver's license to be required by the Texas Department of Public Safety (department) to furnish the information required under Subsection (b) of this section. SECTION 2. Amends Section 14A(b), Article 6687b, V.T.C.S., to authorize all applicants for original, renewal, or duplicate identification cards to be required by the department to furnish the information required under Section 6(b). SECTION 3. Amends Section 18, Article 6687b, V.T.C.S., by deleting Subsection (f), to make conforming changes. SECTION 4. Amends Section 51.15, Family Code, by adding Subsection (j), to provide that this section does not apply to fingerprints which are required or authorized to be submitted or obtained upon application for a driver's license or personal identification card. SECTION 5. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 6. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION SB 1252 was considered by the committee in a formal meeting on May 17, 1995. The bill was reported favorably without amendment with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed and be sent to the Committee on Local and Consent Calendars, by a record vote of 7 ayes, 0 nays, 0 pnv, and 2 absent.