HBA-TBM S.B. 1325 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 1325 By: Armbrister Public Safety 4/18/2001 Engrossed BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, the Sex Offender Registration Program requires a sex offender to renew a driver's license or identification card annually. However, current law does not address the issuance of commercial licenses, learner's permits, hardship licenses, and provisional licenses to registered sex offenders. Senate Bill 1325 provides specific provisions for the issuance of these types of licenses and permits to sex offenders. 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 Senate Bill 1325 amends the Code of Criminal Procedure and Transportation Code relating to a license or permit for certain sex offenders to operate a motor vehicle or commercial motor vehicle. The bill extends to a person who is required by law to register as a sex offender (offender) and who is already required by law to obtain a driver's license or identification card the option of obtaining a commercial driver's license or learner's permit instead. The bill requires an offender to apply annually for a renewal commercial driver's license or learner's permit except for an initial license which expires initially on the second year. The fee for a commercial driver's license or learner's permit issued to an offender is $20. The bill prohibits such a license from being renewed before the 60th day preceding the expiration date. The bill authorizes the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to issue a personal identification certificate, a driver's license, a provisional license, an instruction permit, or hardship license to an offender for a fee of $20. The bill provides that such a permit or license must include a photograph of the offender. An instruction permit, hardship license, or a provisional license issued to an offender does not expire annually. The bill removes provisions prohibiting DPS from accepting renewal by mail of a provisional license, an occupational license, or a driver's license if the license holder has been convicted of a moving violation or an offense that mandates automatic suspension of the license. The bill provides that a disabled veteran is not exempt from licensure fees if the veteran is an offender. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001.