SRC-MAX S.B. 602 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 602
By: Armbrister
State Affairs
2-26-97
As Filed


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, S.B. 602 amends the period of validity of and fees for a
driver's license or personal identification certificate. 

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 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 reissue the license or certificate of a holder who
is under 60 years of age without charge at 12-year intervals to include
changes in the pertinent information shown on the license or certificate.
Provides that this subsection does not affect the right of the 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. 

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.   

SECTION 3. Amends Section 521.421, Transportation Code, by adding
Subsection (f), to require the department to provide, on request of the
applicant, for payment in installments over a period of one year of a fee
by prescribed Subsection (a). 

SECTION 4. 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 5. 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 6. Amends Section 521.101(f), Transportation Code, to delete text
that provides that a certificate expires on a date specified by the
department.  Makes a conforming change. 

SECTION 7. Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 8. Effective date:  September 1, 1997.

SECTION 9. Emergency clause.