BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1608 82R10400 AJZ-D By: Carona Transportation & Homeland Security 3/29/2011 As Filed
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1608
82R10400 AJZ-D By: Carona
Transportation & Homeland Security
3/29/2011
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 1608
82R10400 AJZ-D
By: Carona
Transportation & Homeland Security
3/29/2011
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT The 81st Legislature, Regular Session, 2009, passed H.B. 2012. H.B. 2012 amended Chapter 521 (Driver's Licenses and Certificates), Transportation Code, to provide that a person commits a Class B misdemeanor if a person commits an offense of driving without a valid driver's license and at the time is also operating a motor vehicle without maintaining liability insurance. If, at the time a person is driving without a valid driver's license, that person causes or is at fault in a motor vehicle accident that results in serious bodily injury to or death or another and is driving without maintaining without maintaining liability insurance, the offense would be a Class A misdemeanor. However, the bill's provisions did not address circumstance where a person does not possess a driver's license. S.B. 1608 would further amend Chapter 521, Transportation Code, to include circumstances where a person does not possess a driver's license. Under S.B. 1608, a person commits a Class B misdemeanor if a person commits an offense of driving without a valid driver's license or not possessing a driver's license and at the time is also operating a motor vehicle without maintaining liability insurance. If, at the time a person is driving without a valid driver's license or does not possess a driver's license, that person causes or is at fault in a motor vehicle accident that results in serious bodily injury to or death of another and is driving without maintaining liability insurance, the offense would be a Class A misdemeanor. As proposed, S.B. 1608 amends current law relating to operating a motor vehicle without a driver's license and creates an offense. 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 521.457(a), Transportation Code, as follows: (a) Provides that a person commits an offense if the person operates a motor vehicle on a highway under certain conditions, including without holding a driver's license for any other reason and the person is not exempt from the license requirement imposed under this chapter. Makes nonsubstantive changes. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2011.
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
The 81st Legislature, Regular Session, 2009, passed H.B. 2012. H.B. 2012 amended Chapter 521 (Driver's Licenses and Certificates), Transportation Code, to provide that a person commits a Class B misdemeanor if a person commits an offense of driving without a valid driver's license and at the time is also operating a motor vehicle without maintaining liability insurance. If, at the time a person is driving without a valid driver's license, that person causes or is at fault in a motor vehicle accident that results in serious bodily injury to or death or another and is driving without maintaining without maintaining liability insurance, the offense would be a Class A misdemeanor. However, the bill's provisions did not address circumstance where a person does not possess a driver's license.
S.B. 1608 would further amend Chapter 521, Transportation Code, to include circumstances where a person does not possess a driver's license. Under S.B. 1608, a person commits a Class B misdemeanor if a person commits an offense of driving without a valid driver's license or not possessing a driver's license and at the time is also operating a motor vehicle without maintaining liability insurance. If, at the time a person is driving without a valid driver's license or does not possess a driver's license, that person causes or is at fault in a motor vehicle accident that results in serious bodily injury to or death of another and is driving without maintaining liability insurance, the offense would be a Class A misdemeanor.
As proposed, S.B. 1608 amends current law relating to operating a motor vehicle without a driver's license and creates an offense.
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 521.457(a), Transportation Code, as follows:
(a) Provides that a person commits an offense if the person operates a motor vehicle on a highway under certain conditions, including without holding a driver's license for any other reason and the person is not exempt from the license requirement imposed under this chapter. Makes nonsubstantive changes.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2011.