AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Under current law, the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas (DPS) has the authority to issue renewal and duplicate driver's licenses, election identification certificates, and personal identification certificates. As the state's population has increased, so has the demand for these services. Unfortunately, DPS has been unable to meet this growing need. In many areas of the state, it is an inconvenience for Texans to obtain these services due to either overcrowding at their local DPS office, or the lack of a DPS office within their vicinity altogether.
S.B. 1729 authorizes DPS to enter into an agreement with a county clerk or county assessor-collector to train the staff of the respective office to provide services related to renewal and duplicate driver's licenses, election identification certificates, and personal identification certificates.
As proposed, S.B. 1729 amends current law relating to an agreement between the Department of Public Safety and a county clerk or county assessor-collector for the provision of renewal and duplicate driver's license and other identification certificate services.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas in SECTION 1 (Section 521.008, Transportation Code) of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 521, Transportation Code, by adding Section 521.008, as follows:
Sec. 521.008. AGREEMENT REGARDING THE PROVISION OF RENEWAL AND DUPLICATE DRIVER'S LICENSE AND OTHER IDENTIFICATION CERTIFICATE SERVICES. (a) Authorizes the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas (DPS) to enter into an agreement with a county clerk or county assessor-collector to train county clerk or county assessor-collector employees, as applicable, to provide services at county offices relating to the issuance of renewal and duplicate driver's licenses, election identification certificates, and personal identification certificates, including taking photographs; administering vision tests; updating a driver's license, election identification certificate, or personal identification certificate to change a name, address, or photo; distributing and collecting information relating to donations under Section 521.401 (Statement of Gift); collecting fees; and performing other basic ministerial functions and tasks necessary to issue renewal and duplicate driver's licenses, election identification certificates, and personal identification certificates.
(b) Prohibits an agreement under Subsection (a) from including training to administer an examination for driver's license applicants under Subchapter H.
(c) Requires a participating county clerk or county assessor-collector to remit to DPS for deposit as required by this chapter fees collected for the issuance of a renewal or duplicate driver's license or personal identification certificate.
(d) Requires DPS to adopt rules to administer this section.
SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage, or September 1, 2013.