The Texas Department of Public Safety proposes amendments to Subchapter B, §§15.21 - 15.23, 15.25 - 15.31, 15.33 - 15.40, 15.42, 15.44, and 15.48, concerning Driver License Rules. Amendments to the sections are necessary in order to further align the rules with existing statute and to repeal rules addressed in statute. Terms have been modified to align with industry standards, i.e., "driver's" to "driver" and "instruction permit" to "learner license." Rule changes also provide that licenses issued by the department, including driver licenses, minor's restricted driver licenses, learner licenses, and occupational and interlock licenses will be issued with a photograph with current information being displayed on each license or identification certificate issued.

Oscar Ybarra, Chief of Finance, has determined that for each year of the first five-year period the rules are in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government or local economies.

Mr. Ybarra also has determined that there will be no adverse economic effect on small businesses or micro-businesses required to comply with the sections as proposed. There are no anticipated economic costs to individuals who are required to comply with the rules as proposed. There is no anticipated negative impact on local employment.

In addition, Mr. Ybarra has also determined that for each year of the first five-year period the rules are in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rules will be to establish clearer policy guidelines for the issuance of Texas driver license and identification cards, processing of administrative actions and maintenance of driver related information.

The Department has determined that this proposal is not a "major environmental rule" as defined by Texas Government Code, §2001.0225. "Major environmental rule" is defined to mean a rule that the specific intent of which is to protect the environment or reduce risk to human health from environmental exposure and that may adversely affect, in a material way, the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment or the public health and safety of a state or a sector of the state. This proposal is not specifically intended to protect the environment or reduce risks to human health from environmental exposure.

The Department has determined that Chapter 2007 of the Texas Government Code does not apply to these rules. Accordingly, the Department is not required to complete a takings impact assessment regarding these rules.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Ron Coleman, Program Specialist IV, Driver License Division, Texas Department of Public Safety, P.O. Box 4087, Austin, Texas 78765-0300, (512) 424-7652.

The amendments are proposed pursuant to Texas Government Code, §411.004(3), which authorizes the Public Safety Commission to adopt rules considered necessary for carrying out the Department's work; and Texas Transportation Code, §521.165.

Texas Government Code, §411.004(3) and Texas Transportation Code, §521.165 are affected by this proposal.