BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1699

By: Geren

Homeland Security & Public Safety

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties assert that during the implementation of the driver record monitoring pilot program, rules were adopted that limited the program participants too strictly, particularly given the number of qualified applicants to provide certain services under the pilot program. H.B. 1699 seeks to address this issue by prohibiting the Department of Public Safety (DPS) from limiting the number of qualified persons participating in the pilot program and requiring DPS to accept applications from prospective participants until the pilot program has concluded.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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. 1699 amends the Transportation Code to replace the authorization for the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to enter into a contract under the driver record monitoring pilot program with a qualified person to provide driver record monitoring services and certain driver's license records information to the person with the requirement for DPS to enter into such a contract with such a person for those services and to provide that information to such a person. The bill adds as a condition of a person's qualification to provide driver record monitoring services the submission of an application to DPS. The bill prohibits DPS from limiting the number of qualified persons participating in the pilot program.

H.B. 1699 removes the authorization for DPS to establish a reasonable deadline by which a person must apply to enter into such a contract with DPS and removes the prohibition against DPS entering into a contract with a person who fails to apply before that deadline. The bill instead requires DPS to accept and consider such applications until the conclusion of the term of the pilot program.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2017.