SRC-JEC, CTC S.B. 148 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 148
77R1394 DWS-FBy: Shapiro
Jurisprudence
1/18/2001
As Filed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, foreign diplomats drive with licenses issued by the U.S.
Department of State.  When traffic violations occur, diplomatic license
holders are responsible for civil fines, but are immune to state license
restrictions.  S.B. 148 requires all traffic violations or incidents
involving persons with diplomatic immunity to be reported to the Bureau of
Diplomatic Security Office of Foreign Missions at the U.S. Department of
State. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 543A, Transportation Code, by adding Section
543.011, as follows: 

Sec. 543.011. PERSON LICENSED BY STATE DEPARTMENT OR CLAIMING DIPLOMATIC
IMMUNITY.  Sets forth the persons that are affected by this section.
Requires that a peace officer record all relevant information from any
driver's license, identification card, or any statement made by the person
relating to immunities or privileges and promptly deliver the record to the
peace officer's law enforcement agency.  Requires the law enforcement
agency to contact the U.S. Department of State, as soon as practicable, to
verify the person's status and immunity, and send information regarding the
stop or arrest of the person to the Bureau of Diplomatic Security Office of
Foreign Missions of the U.S. Department of State (bureau) not later than
five working days after the stop or arrest.  Sets forth the information
that must be sent to the bureau.  Provides that this section does not
affect application of a law described by this section to a person to whom
this section applies. 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2001.