SRC-SLL S.B. 423 75(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 423
By: Whitmire
State Affairs
2-5-97
As Filed


DIGEST 

Currently, Texas requires a driver to renew his or her license every four
years.  If that driver has no violations on his or her record, the driver
is eligible to renew the license by mail.  If a driver has a moving
traffic violation or serious driving offense on his or her record during
that four-year period, the driver is not eligible to renew the license by
mail.  This bill will encourage drivers with a moving traffic violation or
serious driving offense to take a driving safety course instead of just
paying the ticket or receiving deferred adjudication, resulting in more
educated drivers and safer roads.  This bill will require drivers who have
violations on their records to show proof of having taken a driving safety
course certified by the Texas Education Agency within the previous four
years in order to renew their licenses. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 423 requires a person who has driving violations on the
person's record to show proof of having taken a driving safety course for
renewal of a driver's license. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 521M, Transportation Code, by adding Section
521.275, as follows: 

Sec.  521.275.  DRIVING SAFETY COURSE.  Prohibits the Department of Public
Safety from renewing a driver's license of an applicant who is not
eligible for renewal by mail under Section 521.274(b)(3) unless within the
four years preceding the date of the renewal application the applicant has
successfully completed a driving safety course approved under Article
4413(29c), V.T.C.S. (Texas Driver and Traffic Safety Education Act). 

SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.