SRC-ARR C.S.H.B. 90 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.H.B. 90
By: Driver (Bivins)
Education
5/13/1999
Committee Report (Substituted)


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. C.S.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, C.S.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
a written statement by a parent or guardian that the applicant has
completed at least 50 hours of actual driving practice, including at least
10 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. Amends Chapter 521K, Transportation Code, by adding Section
521.2221, as follows: 

Sec. 521.2221. ADDITIONAL RESTRICTION ON MINOR. Prohibits a holder of a
Class A, B, or C driver's license who is under 18 years of age from
operating a motor vehicle after 11 p.m. and before 5 a.m. unless certain
conditions exist. Provides that the restrictions under Subsection (a) apply
during the period beginning on the date the holder is first issued a Class
A, B, or C driver'ss license and ending on the earlier of certain dates.
Provides that a person commits an offense if the person operates a motor
vehicle in violation of the restriction under this section. Provides that
an offense under this section is punishable in the same manner as a
violation of a restriction imposed on the holder of a license under Section
521.221. Provides that a restriction under this section is not required to
be noted on the driver's license.  

SECTION 4. Makes application of this Act prospective.

SECTION 5. Effective date: January 1, 2000.

SECTION 6. Emergency clause.