JWW S.B. 881 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


PUBLIC SAFETY
S.B. 881
By: Brown (Oakley)
5-6-97
Committee Report (Unamended)


BACKGROUND 

S.B. 1504, passed by the 74th Legislature, authorized the Department of
Public Safety (DPS) to contract with private entities to set up a
statewide traffic warrant database and to deny a renewal of a driver's
licence for failure to pay for traffic warrants.  This bill was the first
attempt to link city, county, and state outstanding warrants into a
central database.  After the passage of S.B. 1504, it was discovered that
several offenses were not included under the definition of "traffic law,"
such as failure to show completion of a driver safety course.  This bill
will expand the list of outstanding offenses that result in denial of
driver's license renewal. 

PURPOSE

This bill expands the list of outstanding offenses that result in denial
of driver's license renewal. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or
institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Section 1, Article 6687d, Revised Statutes, by amending
Subdivision (5) to clarify the definition of "traffic law."  Subdivisions
(6)-(9) are added to define "highway or street," "motor vehicle,"
"operator," and "public place." 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 2(a), Article 6687d, Revised Statutes, to
authorize a political subdivision to contract with the Department of
Public Safety (DPS) to provide information necessary for the DPS to deny
renewal of the driver's license of a person who has failed to appear for a
complaint, citation, or court order to pay a fine involving an offense
under Section 38.10, Penal Code, if the underlying offense is a traffic
offense; an offense under Section 543.009(b) or 543.107(b), Transportation
Code. 

SECTION 3. Amends Sections 4(a)-(c), Article 6687d, Revised Statutes, to
make conforming changes. 

SECTION 4. Effective Date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 5. Emergency Clause.