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.