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.