JWW H.B. 972 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS PUBLIC SAFETY H.B. 972 By: Jones, Jesse 4-28-97 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND 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 has greatly reduced the accident and vehicle theft related loss experienced by these companies. The Department of Public Safety is capable of providing certain driver record information to third parties via computer and modem. However car rental companies, employers, and prospective employers are currently unable to access this information. PURPOSE This bill will authorize the Department of Public Safety to establish an interactive information system for the purpose providing access to specific information relating to a person's driving record. In addition, this bill authorizes the department to coordinate with the National Driver Register regarding information on the driving record of an employee or prospective employee driver's license information to employers or prospective employers. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill grants authority to adopt rules to the Texas Department of Public Safety in Section 521.055(f) and Section 521.056(e), Transportation Code. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1 Subchapter C, Chapter 521, Transportation Code, is amended as follows: Section 521.055, ESTABLISHMENT OF INTERACTIVE SYSTEM. (a) States that the department may develop a system separate from the department's mainframe computer. This system will provide interactive access to specified driver's license information. (b) Information released by the system is limited to (1) a status check as described in Section 521.045, and (2)a three year driving record as described in Section 521.046. (c) The fee for a status check described in (b)(1) is $2.50. A three-year driving record described in (b)(2) is $4.50. (d) This chapter will be administered by a special account in the general revenue fund. Fifty cents from each fee collected under Subsection (c) will be deposited in the fund. (e) The department may contract with private vendors to implement this section. (f) The department may establish rules as necessary to administer this section. Section 521.056. NATIONAL DRIVER REGISTER. (a) states that the department can process file check requests with the National Driver Register at the request of current or prospective employers of employees or persons seeking employment as motor vehicle operators or railway locomotive operators. In order for the department to process these file checks, the following requirements must be met: (1) the employee or prospective employee must give written consent, and (2) possess a Texas driver's license. (b) A request under Subsection (a) is subject to a fee of $4. (c) Any request made under Subsection (a) will be forwarded by the department directly to the employer or prospective employer. (d) Anyone wishing to receive information on their own driving record may request the department's assistance in retrieving the information from the National Driver Register. the department may, by rule, set a reasonable fee for this service. The fee must conform to the policies of the National Driver Register. (e) The department may adopt forms and rules necessary to implement this section and comply with the policies of the National Driver's Register. SECTION 2 Emergency Clause. Effective upon passage.