HBA-CMT S.B. 148 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 148
By: Shapiro
Public Safety
4/1/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, foreign diplomats drive with licenses issued by the United
States Department of State. When traffic violations occur, diplomatic
license holders are responsible for civil fines, but are immune to state
license restrictions. Senate Bill 148 requires all traffic violations or
incidents involving persons with diplomatic or consular immunity to be
reported to the Bureau of Diplomatic Security Office of Foreign Missions at
the United States Department of State.  

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 148 amends the Transportation Code relating to a person who is
stopped or issued a notice to appear by a peace officer in connection with
a violation of rules of the road or certain intoxication and alcoholic
beverage offenses involving the operation of a motor vehicle, and who
presents to the peace officer a driver's license issued by the United
States Department of State or claims diplomatic or consular immunities or
privileges.   

The bill requires a peace officer who stops or issues a notice to appear to
such a person to record all relevant information from any driver's license
or identification card presented by the person or any statement made by the
person relating to immunities or privileges and to promptly deliver the
record to the law enforcement agency that employs the peace officer.  The
bill requires the law enforcement agency to contact the United States
Department of State to verify the person's status and immunity and no later
than the fifth working day after the date of the stop or issuance of the
notice  to appear send to the Bureau of Diplomatic Security Office of
Foreign Missions of the United States Department of State a copy of any
notice to appear issued to the person and any accident report prepared or a
written report of the incident. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.