SRC-ARR H.B. 90 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 90 By: Driver (Bivins) Education 5/11/1999 Engrossed DIGEST Data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety shows that 16-year-olds are three times more likely, and 17- to 19-year-olds, twice as likely, to die in traffic accidents as all other drivers combined. A disproportionate number of fatal accidents involving teenage drivers occurs at night. H.B. 90 increases the number of hours of behind-the-wheel practice and the minimum amount of night time behind-the-wheel practice for student drivers. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 90 increases the number of hours of behind-the-wheel practice and the minimum amount of night time behind-the-wheel practice for student drivers. 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 521.204, Transportation Code, to authorize the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to issue a Class C driver's license to an applicant under 18 years of age, only if the applicant has submitted an affidavit by a parent or guardian that the applicant has completed at least 70 hours of actual driving practice, including at least 20 hours of practice at night. SECTION 2. Amends Section 521.222, Transportation Code, by amending Subsection (d), to provide that an instruction permit entitles the holder to operate a type of motor vehicle on a highway while the holder is accompanied by a person occupying the seat by the operator who is 21, rather than 18, years of age of older. SECTION 3. Requires the Texas Department of Insurance and DPS to evaluate the effect of this Act on insurance claims and on accidents as to the amount of insurance premium discount available to the affected person. Requires DPS to submit to the legislature a report on their evaluation, before January 1, 2003. SECTION 4. Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 5. Effective date: September 1, 2000. SECTION 6. Emergency clause.