SRC-HRD C.S.H.B. 1200 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterC.S.H.B. 1200 By: Cuellar (Brown) State Affairs 5-12-97 Committee Report (Substituted) DIGEST Currently, a driver's license or personal identification certificate expires on the first birthday of the license or certificate holder occurring after the fourth anniversary of the date of the application. Modern technology has virtually eliminated the need for regularly updated driver's licenses. For example, the Texas Department to Public Safety now uses computers to verify the validity of each license issued. This bill provides for the issuance of extended driver's licenses. PURPOSE As proposed, C.S.H.B. 1200 amends the period of validity of and fees for a driver's license or personal identification certificate. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is granted to the Department of Public Safety in SECTION 10 of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 521.271, Transportation Code, as follows: Sec. 521.271. New heading: LICENSE AND PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION CERTIFICATE EXPIRATION. Provides that each original driver's license, personal identification certificate, and provisional license expires on the 60th birthday of the license or certificate holder, rather than on the first birthday occurring after the fourth anniversary of the date of the application, among other provisions. Requires the Department of Public Safety (department) to renew the license or certificate of a holder who is under 60 years of age without charge at six-year intervals to include changes in the pertinent information shown on the license or certificate. Authorizes the department to require a holder to furnish certain information for an application for an original license under Section 521.142, Transportation Code. Provides that a driver's license or personal identification certificate expires on a certain date under certain conditions. Provides that this subsection does not affect the right of a person to obtain a duplicate or corrected license or certificate at another time or the obligation of the person to pay the fee required for a duplicate license or certificate obtained at another time. Prohibits a driver's license or personal identification certificate from being renewed. Requires the person who held the expired license or certificate to apply for an original license or certificate and meet all of the requirements for obtaining an original license or certificate. SECTION 2. Amends Section 521.421, Transportation Code, as follows: Sec. 521.421. New heading: LICENSE AND CERTIFICATE FEES; EXAMINATION FEES. Provides that the fee for issuance, rather than issuance or renewal, of a license, or personal identification certificate not otherwise provided for by this section is a certain amount. Provides that the fee for renewal of a license, rather than a Class M license, not otherwise provided for by this section is $16, rather than $21. Sets forth fees for a license authorizing the operation of a motorcycle or moped. SECTION 3. Amends Section 521.422, Transportation Code, as follows: Sec. 521.422. New heading: PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION CERTIFICATE RENEWAL FEE. Deletes a provision providing that the fee for a renewal of a personal identification certificate is $10 for a person under 65 years of age. Provides that the fee for a renewal of a personal identification certificate is $5 for a person 60, rather than 65, years of age or older. SECTION 4. Amends Section 521.123, Transportation Code, to require the department to remove an "UNDER 21" indication from the holder's license without charge on request of a license holder who is at least 21 years of age. SECTION 5. Amends Section 521.101(f), Transportation Code, to require the department to remove an "UNDER 21" indication from the holder's certificate without charge, on request of a certificate holder who is at least 21 years of age. Deletes text that provides that a certificate expires on a date specified by the department. Makes a conforming change. SECTION 6. Amends Sections 522.029(a) and (b), Transportation Code, to provide that the fee for a commercial driver's license or commercial driver learner's permit issued by the department is $60, rather than $40. Provides that the fee for issuance or renewal of certain licenses is $8, under certain conditions. SECTION 7. Amends Section 522.051, Transportation Code, to provide that an original commercial driver's license or commercial driver learner's permit expires six, rather than four, years after the applicant's next birthday. Deletes existing Subsections (b)-(d). Deletes the definition of "last birthday." Makes conforming changes. SECTION 8. Amends Sections 522.052(b) and (c), Transportation Code, to make conforming changes. SECTION 9. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 10. Authorizes the Department of Public Safety, by rule, to provide for the staggered expiration of of licenses and certificates under Chapter 521, Transportation Code, so the proportionate number of licenses and certificates expire each year. Requires the fee for a license or certificate issued for a period other than the period provided by that chapter to be prorated accordingly. SECTION 11. Effective date: September 1, 1997. SECTION 12. Emergency clause. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES SECTION 1. Redesignates proposed SECTION 1 as SECTION 5. Redesignates proposed SECTION 2 as SECTION 1 to amend proposed SECTION 521.271, Transportation Code. Amends the heading. Adds text regarding personal identification certificates. Provides that an original driver's license or personal identification certificate expires on the 60th, rather than sixth, birthday of the license or certificate holder. Deletes text regarding expiration on the first birthday of the licence holder occurring after the fourth anniversary of the date of application. Sets forth new Subsections (c) and (d). SECTION 2. Redesignated from proposed SECTION 3. Amends proposed Section 521.421, Transportation Code, to make conforming changes and add text regarding license and other fees. SECTION 3. Redesignated proposed SECTION 4. Amends proposed Section 521.422, Transportation Code, to amend the section heading. Sets forth provisions regarding certificate renewal. SECTION 4. Sets forth a new SECTION 4. SECTION 5. Redesignated from proposed SECTION 1. Amends proposed Section 521.101(f), Transportation Code, to require the department, upon request of a certificate holder who is at least 21 years of age, to remove an "UNDER 21" indication from the holder's certificate without charge. Removes proposed text regarding certificate expiration. SECTION 6. Redesignated from proposed SECTION 5. Sets forth text regarding operation of a motorcycle or moped and removes proposed Subsection (f). SECTION 7. Redesignated from SECTION 6. Deletes Subsections (b)-(d). Deletes a definition of "last birthday." SECTION 8. Redesignated from proposed SECTION 7. SECTION 9. Sets forth a new SECTION 9. SECTION 10. Redesignated from proposed SECTION 8. SECTION 11. Redesignated from proposed SECTION 10. SECTION 12. Redesignated from proposed SECTION 11.