1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the issuance of certain driver's licenses and
 1-3     identification certificates by the Department of Public Safety and
 1-4     the provision of driver record information by the department and to
 1-5     fees and charges collected by the department.
 1-6           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-7           SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 521, Transportation Code, is
 1-8     amended by adding Section 521.0485 to read as follows:
 1-9           Sec. 521.0485.  REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION BY MAIL OR
1-10     ELECTRONIC MEANS. (a)  The department by rule may provide that the
1-11     holder of a driver's license issued by the department may submit a
1-12     request for information under Sections 521.045-521.048 by mail, by
1-13     telephone, over the Internet, or by other electronic means.
1-14           (b)  A rule adopted under Subsection (a):
1-15                 (1)  may prescribe eligibility standards for release of
1-16     the requested information; and
1-17                 (2)  may not conflict with any provision of this
1-18     chapter or another law that relates to the release of the
1-19     information by the department.
1-20           SECTION 2. Section 521.146, Transportation Code, is amended
1-21     by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsections (c) and (d) to
1-22     read as follows:
1-23           (b)  An applicant for a [duplicate or] corrected driver's
1-24     license or certificate must submit to the department the required
 2-1     fee, accompanied by[:]
 2-2                 [(1)  proof satisfactory to the department that the
 2-3     driver's license or certificate was lost or destroyed; or]
 2-4                 [(2)]  the required information that has changed with
 2-5     proof satisfactory to the department that supports the change.
 2-6           (c)  The department by rule may provide that the holder of a
 2-7     driver's license or identification certificate issued by the
 2-8     department may apply for the issuance of a duplicate license or
 2-9     certificate by mail, by telephone, over the Internet, or by other
2-10     electronic means.
2-11           (d)  A rule adopted under Subsection (c) may prescribe
2-12     eligibility standards for issuance of a duplicate driver's license
2-13     or identification certificate under this section.
2-14           SECTION 3. Subchapter A, Chapter 411, Government Code, is
2-15     amended by adding Section 411.0135 to read as follows:
2-16           Sec. 411.0135.  METHOD OF PAYMENT OF FEES AND CHARGES. (a)
2-17     The department may adopt rules regarding the method of payment of
2-18     any fee or charge that is imposed or collected by the department.
2-19           (b)  Rules adopted under Subsection (a) may authorize
2-20     payment, under circumstances prescribed by the department:
2-21                 (1)  in person, by mail, by telephone, or over the
2-22     Internet;
2-23                 (2)  by means of electronic funds transfer; or
2-24                 (3)  by means of a valid credit card issued by a
2-25     financial institution chartered by a state or the federal
2-26     government or by a nationally recognized credit organization
2-27     approved by the department.
 3-1           (c)  The department by rule may require, in addition to the
 3-2     amount of the fee or charge, the payment of:
 3-3                 (1)  a discount, convenience, or service charge for a
 3-4     payment transaction; or
 3-5                 (2)  a service charge in connection with the payment of
 3-6     a payment transaction that is dishonored or refused for lack of
 3-7     funds or insufficient funds.
 3-8           SECTION 4. Section 521.427, Transportation Code, is repealed.
 3-9           SECTION 5. (a)  This Act takes effect September 1, 2001.
3-10           (b)  The repeal by this Act of Section 521.427,
3-11     Transportation Code, does not affect the continuing validity of a
3-12     rule adopted by the Department of Public Safety under that section,
3-13     regardless of the date of adoption.  A rule adopted by the
3-14     Department of Public Safety under that section continues in effect
3-15     unless the rule is amended, repealed, or rescinded by the
3-16     department.
         _______________________________     _______________________________
             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House
               I certify that H.B. No. 1762 was passed by the House on April
         25, 2001, by a non-record vote.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Chief Clerk of the House
               I certify that H.B. No. 1762 was passed by the Senate on May
         22, 2001, by the following vote:  Yeas 30, Nays 0, 1 present, not
         voting.
                                             _______________________________
                                                 Secretary of the Senate
         APPROVED:  __________________________
                              Date
                    __________________________
                            Governor