HBA-TBM S.B. 154 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisS.B. 154
By: Truan
Public Safety
4/4/2001
Engrossed



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, the need for organ and tissue transplants far exceeds the number
of donated organs and tissue. Providing information about anatomical gifts
in the curriculum of driver education and driving safety courses can
increase awareness of this need and remind students of one of the most
devastating consequences of unsafe driving.  Senate Bill 154 requires
information regarding anatomical gifts to be included in the curriculum of
driver education and driving safety courses.   

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking
authority is expressly delegated to the commissioner of education in
SECTION 1 (Section 6, Article 4413(29c), V.T.C.S.) and SECTION 2 of this
bill.   

ANALYSIS

Senate Bill 154 amends the Texas Driver and Traffic Safety Education Act to
require the commissioner of education or the commissioner's designee
(commissioner) by rule to require that information relating to anatomical
gifts be included in the curriculum of each driver education and driving
safety course.  The bill sets forth the contents of the added curriculum.
The bill requires the commissioner to consult with the Department of Public
Safety and the Texas Department of Health in developing rules to implement
these provisions and to adopt the rules not later than January 1, 2002.   

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2001.