SRC-TNM S.B. 880 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 880 By: Brown State Affairs 4-23-97 As Filed DIGEST Currently, drivers in Texas over the age of 18 must renew their driver's license every four years. Most police agencies, such as the Department of Public Safety (DPS), now use computer records to verify the validity of each license. DPS also has the authority to suspend or revoke licenses for drivers determined unfit to safely operate a motor vehicle. Through the issuance of extended driver's licenses, there is an opportunity to generate revenue and increase consumer convenience. S.B. 880 would allow for extended driver's licenses that would be renewed every 12 years. This bill would also implement a new fee structure and include a provision which would allow drivers to pay the higher cost of the extended driver's license over the course of one year. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 880 outlines provisions regarding 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. Sets forth expiration dates for each original driver's license, personal identification certificate, and provisional license. 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 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. SECTION 2. Amends Sections 521.421(a) and (b), Transportation Code, as follows: Sec. 521.421. New heading: LICENSE AND CERTIFICATE FEES; EXAMINATION FEES. Sets forth fees for issuance, rather than renewal, of a license or personal identification certificate not otherwise provided for by this section. Provides that the fee for renewal of a license not otherwise provided for by this section, rather than a Class M license, 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 prescribed by Subsection (a). SECTION 4. Amends Section 521.422, Transportation Code, as follows: Sec. 521.422. New heading: PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION CERTIFICATE RENEWAL FEE. Provides that the fee for renewal of a personal identification certificate is $5 for a person 60 years of age or older, rather than $10 for a person under 65 years of age. Makes conforming changes. 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. Makes a conforming change. SECTION 6. Amends Section 521.101(f), Transportation Code, to delete text regarding the expiration date of a certificate. Makes a conforming change. SECTION 7. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 8. Effective date: September 1, 1997.