H.B. 2223 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


H.B. 2223
By: Krusee
Law Enforcement
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Under current law, a juvenile who engages in terroristic threats, false
alarms, or hoax bombs does not face penalties related to his or her
driver's license.  However, a bomb threat incurs incredible costs in time,
money, and emotional stress for students, administration, and the
community as a whole.  A drivers' license is a very valuable acquisition
to most teenagers, and establishing penalties related to driver's licenses
would help reinforce the seriousness of the these offenses.  House Bill
2223 increases the penalties for a person who engages in terroristic
threats, false alarms, or hoax bombs to include the suspension of a
driver's license, denial of the issuance of a driver's license, and denial
of an application for reinstatement of a driver's license. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or
institution. 

ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.   House Bill 2223 amends Section 54.042 of the Family Code by
including violations  
of Sections 22.07, 42.06, and 46.08 of the Penal Code, which deal with
terroristic threats, false alarms, and hoax bombs respectively.  If a
juvenile court finds that a child has engaged in conduct that violates any
of these statutes, it can suspend a child's driver's license or permit, or
deny the issuance of a license or permit, for a period not to exceed 365
days.  If the child had previously been adjudicated as violating these
statutes, the suspension or denial of a driver's license or permit can
last until the child's nineteenth birthday. 

SECTION 2.   House Bill 2223 amends Section 521.320 of the Transportation
Code by adding "Or Terrorist Activity" to the heading of this section.   

SECTION 3.   House Bill 2223 amends Section 521.320 of the Transportation
Code by authorizing a court to order the suspension of a person's drivers
license or to deny an application for reinstatement or issuance of a
driver's license if a person is convicted of a violation under Sections
22.07, 42.06, or 46.08 of the Penal Code. 

SECTION 4.  House Bill 2223 applies only to an offense committed or, for
the purposes of Title 3, Family Code, to conduct that occurs on or after
the effective date of this Act.  An offense is committed on or after the
effective date of this Act if every element of the offense occurs on or
after the effective date.  

EFFECTIVE DATE

This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.