SRC-BWC, MWN S.B. 1213 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterS.B. 1213
By: Zaffirini
Criminal Justice
5/30/2001
Enrolled


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

The Department of Public Safety believes that a vertical driver's license
would be more effective in preventing underage drinking than current
driver's licenses that show the person in profile.  S.B. 1213 removes the
requirement that provisional licenses issued to minors under 18 years of
age show the photo of the person in profile.  S.B. 1213 requires the
department to issue licenses to persons under the age of 21 that is the
same as non-provisional licenses that reads vertically instead of
horizontally.  This marked difference in licenses could prevent teens from
entering bars illegally. 

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 Section 521.121(a), Transportation Code, to delete text
requiring a driver's license to include the profile of the holder if the
license is a provisional license. 

SECTION 2. Amends Section 521.123, Transportation Code, to require the
Department of Public Safety (department) for each original, renewed, or
duplicate license issued to a person who is under 21 years of age to
specify certain information. Deletes text regarding "under 21." 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2001.