BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 962

By: Bucy

Licensing & Administrative Procedures

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There are concerns that inexperience and lack of practice may be contributing factors to car accidents involving new teen drivers. While current law requires 30 hours of certain behind‑the‑wheel practice for certain teens to obtain a learner license, it has been suggested that an increase in the required hours of driving practice for these drivers may help reduce traffic collisions and fatalities. H.B. 962 seeks to address this concern by increasing the required hours of behind-the-wheel training required in the presence of a qualified adult for certain drivers.

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. 962 amends the Education Code to increase from 30 to 50 the total number of hours of behind-the-wheel instruction that a driver education course must require certain students under 18 years of age to complete in the presence of a qualified adult who holds a driver's license, is 21 years of age or older, and has at least one year of driving experience.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2021.