SRC-MAX H.B. 972 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 972
By: Jones, Jesse (Whitmire)
Criminal Justice
5-17-97
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Many states such as California and Florida have implemented interactive
programs which allow car rental companies to check the current status of
prospective customers at the time of rental. This practice has greatly
reduced the accident and vehicle theft related loss experienced by these
companies.   This bill sets forth provisions regarding systems for
providing access to driver's license record information held by the Texas
Department of Public Safety. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 972 sets forth provisions  regarding systems for
providing access to driver's license record information held by the Texas
Department of Public Safety. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is granted to the Texas Department of Public Safety
in SECTION 1 (Sections 521.055(f) and 521.056(d) and (e), Transportation
Code) of this bill.  

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 521C, Transportation Code, by adding Sections
521.055 and 521.056, as follows: 

Sec.  521.055.  ESTABLISHMENT OF INTERACTIVE SYSTEM.  Authorizes the Texas
Department of Public Safety (department) to establish a system, separate
from the department's mainframe computer, that will allow interactive
access to certain driver's license record information.  Authorizes the
system to provide for the release of certain information. Provides that
the fee for a status check under Subsection (b)(1) is $2.50.  Provides
that the fee for a three-year driving record under Subsection (b)(2) is
$4.50.  Requires fifty cents of each fee collected under Subsection  (c)
to be deposited in a special account in the general revenue fund that may
be appropriated only to the department for administration of this chapter.
Authorizes the department to contract with private vendors as necessary to
implement this section.  Authorizes the department to adopt rules as
necessary to administer this section. 

Sec.  521.056.  NATIONAL DRIVER REGISTER.  Authorizes the department to
process file check requests under the National Driver Register on behalf
of current or prospective employers of individuals employed or seeking
employment as operators of motor vehicles or railway locomotive operators
if the individual gives certain consent and has a licenses in this state.
Provides that the fee for a request under Subsection (a) is $4.  Requires
the department to forward a request made under Subsection (a) directly to
the current or prospective employer.  Requires the department to assist
and provide procedures for an individual to obtain certain information.
Authorizes the department, by rule, to establish a reasonable fee for this
service, in conformity with the policies of the National Driver Register.
Authorizes the department to adopt forms and rules as necessary to carry
out the purposes of this section and comply with the policies of the
National Driver Register.  

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.

   Effective date:  upon passage.