HBA-MSH C.S.H.B. 3330 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisC.S.H.B. 3330
By: Williams
Public Safety
4/10/2001
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Suspension, revocation, and denial of a driver's license are common
disciplinary measures for actions such as failing an intoxication test,
delinquent payment of child support, and certain juvenile offenses.
However, is it only an offense to operate a motor vehicle during the period
of suspension, revocation, or denial when a license is suspended, revoked,
or denied for certain infractions or for an alcohol related offense.
Therefore suspension, revocation, or denial of a driver's license may not
be as strong a deterrent as it is intended to be.  C.S.H.B. 3330 makes it
an offense to operate a motor vehicle on a highway during the period a
license is suspended, revoked, or denied. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 3330 amends the Transportation Code to provide that a person
commits an offense if the person operates a motor vehicle on a highway
while the person's driver's license or driving privilege is suspended,
revoked, denied, or while the person is prohibited from obtaining a
driver's license under any state law. In addition, it is an offense to
operate a motor vehicle on a highway while a person's driver's license is
expired if the license expired during a period of suspension.   

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. 3330 conforms the original to Texas Legislative Council style and
format.  In addition, the substitute removes the change made in the
original which made it an offense to operate the motor vehicle on a public
roadway rather than a highway.