BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 307
80R3451 DWS-D By: Harris
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Under current law, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is authorized to use a Texas driver's license or identification card to compile an electronic list of information regarding persons obtaining hunting or fishing licenses. Also, a person who is permitted to sell alcohol or tobacco products is authorized to use a Texas driver's license or identification card to compile an electronic list of information regarding persons buying alcohol and tobacco products. A similar system is needed to allow for easier monitoring by the state regarding who is purchasing mass quantities of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and norpseudoephedrine for possible use in producing methamphetamines.
As proposed, S.B. 307 authorizes a person who is permitted to sell ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or norpseudoephedrine products over-the-counter to use a Texas driver's license or identification card to compile an electronic list of information regarding persons purchasing such products.
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 Subchapter B, Chapter 486, Health and Safety Code, by adding Section 486.0141, as follows:
Sec. 486.0141. USE OF CERTAIN ELECTRONICALLY READABLE INFORMATION. (a) Authorizes a person to access electronically readable information on a driver's license, commercial driver's license, or personal identification certificate for the purpose of complying with Section 486.014 (regarding prerequisites to the over-the-counter sale of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and norpseudoephedrine).
(b) Prohibits information accessed under this section from being sold or otherwise disseminated to a third person for any purpose. Authorizes this information to be obtained by court order or on request by the Department of State Health Services or the Department of Public Safety.
(c) Establishes that a person who violates this section commits a Class A misdemeanor.
SECTION 2. Amends Section 521.126(d), Transportation Code, as amended by Chapters 391 and 1189, Acts of the 79th Legislature, Regular Session, 2005, to add a person acting as authorized by Section 486.0141, Health and Safety Code, to those who are exempt from the prohibition of including certain information from a driver's license, commercial driver's license, or personal identification certificate in an electronically readable form. Makes nonsubstantive changes.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2007.