BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1988

By: McReynolds

Public Safety

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Currently, the tow truck and storage industry can only release a vehicle to the vehicle's owner after being presented with photo identification.  When an individual is arrested for a driving while intoxicated offense, the arresting officer confiscates the accused's driver's license.  At a later date, when the accused individual tries to retrieve his or her vehicle from the tow truck and storage facility, the individual may no longer possess the photo identification that is required for the facility to release the vehicle to the owner.

H.B. 1988 requires a peace officer to make a photocopy of the driver's license of a person arrested for a failure to pass a blood or breath test for intoxication or the presence of alcohol and attach the copy to the temporary driving permit.

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

H.B. 1988 amends the Transportation Code to require a peace officer, in addition to the officer's other duties in connection with the suspension of a driver's license for a failure to pass a blood or breath test for intoxication or the presence of alcohol, to make and attach to a temporary driving permit a photocopy of any driver's license taken from the person who fails such a test.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2009.