AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
According to the Texas Department of Transportation, nearly half of all DWI defendants are repeat offenders. In addition, statistics show that a person previously convicted for DWI is almost twice as likely to be involved in a fatal accident as a person without a previous conviction.
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 601.072, Transportation Code, by adding Subsections (a-2) and (a-3), as follows:
(a-2) Requires a person convicted of an offense relating to the operating of a motor vehicle while intoxicated to maintain, in addition to the minimum coverage required by this section, additional motor vehicle liability insurance coverage to establish financial responsibility under this chapter. Provides that the amounts of liability coverage required increase by $30,000 for each conviction. Provides that the increased coverage requirement under this subsection expires on the 10th anniversary of the date of the most recent conviction for which the additional coverage is required.
(a-3) Provides that, in this section, "offense relating to the operating of a motor vehicle while intoxicated" has the meaning assigned by Section 49.09 (Enhanced Offenses and Penalties), Penal Code.
SECTION 2. Makes application of this Act prospective.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2011.