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.