TITLE 37.PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS

Part 1. TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Chapter 1. ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION

Subchapter W. SENATE BILL 1074 VIDEO UNITS

37 TAC §§1.281 - 1.285

The Texas Department of Public Safety (department) proposes new Subchapter W, §§1.281 - 1.285, concerning the provision of funds for video and audio equipment to law enforcement agencies for the purpose of installing video and audio equipment as described by Article 2.135(a)(1)(A) of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Article 2.137(a) of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure requires the department to adopt rules for providing funds or video and audio equipment to law enforcement agencies for the purpose of installing video and audio equipment as described by Article 2.135(a)(1)(A) of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. The department will award video units to law enforcement agencies, giving priority to the following, pursuant to Article 2.137(a) of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure: (1) law enforcement agencies that employ peace officers whose primary duty is traffic law enforcement; (2) smaller jurisdictions; and (3) municipal and county law enforcement agencies. §§1.281- 1.285 are proposed pursuant to the authority in Article 2.137(a) of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

Tom Haas, Chief of Finance, has determined that for each year of the first five-year period the rules are in effect, there will be fiscal implications for state and local government, or local economies. The additional estimated cost to the state as a result of enforcing or administering the rules is $50,000.00, which amount includes the cost of two Full-Time-Equivalent Positions for fiscal year 2002, one Full-Time-Equivalent Position for fiscal year 2003, and additional administration costs.

The Department anticipates that local governments will incur additional costs in preparing applications for funding, installing the equipment and in complying with program administration requirements. These costs can not be estimated because of the uncertainty relating to the time and expense that each local government will expend on their application, on the installation of the video unit(s) and in complying with program administration requirements. The estimated reduction in costs to local governments expected as a result of enforcing or administering these rules is the amount of the costs the local governments will not have to expend to comply with Articles 2.133 and 2.134 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

Mr. Haas 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 compliance with Article 2.137(a) of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. There is no anticipated adverse economic effect on small businesses or micro-businesses. There is no anticipated cost to individuals. There will be no significant impact on local economies or employment as a result of enforcing or administering these rules.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Major Lee Smith, Traffic Law Enforcement Division, Texas Department of Public Safety, P.O. Box 4087, Austin, Texas 78773-0500, (512) 424-2110.

The new sections 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; Article 2.137(a) of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, which requires the department to adopt rules for providing funds or video and audio equipment to law enforcement agencies for the purpose of installing video and audio equipment as described by Article 2.135(a)(1)(A) of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, including specifying criteria to prioritize funding or equipment provided to law enforcement agencies; and Article 2.138 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, which authorizes the department to adopt rules to implement Articles 2.131-2.137 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

Texas Government Code, §411.004(3), and Articles 2.137(a) and 2.138 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure are affected by this proposal.

§1.281.Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, shall have the following meanings, unless indicated otherwise.

(1) Applicant--a Texas law enforcement agency that applies for funding for video units pursuant to Article 2.131, et seq. of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

(2) Certificate of installation and use--a certification to the Texas Department of Public Safety, stating that the law enforcement agency has installed video and audio equipment as described by Article 2.135(a)(1)(A) of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, and that the law enforcement agency is using the equipment as required by Article 2.135(a)(1) of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. This certification is made by the law enforcement agency, as well as the governing body of the county or municipality served by the law enforcement agency, if any, after receipt of the video unit(s) from the state for the purposes of installing video and audio equipment as described by Article 2.135(a)(1)(A) of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

(3) Department--the Texas Department of Public Safety.

(4) Law enforcement agency size--the size of the law enforcement agency is determined by the total number of full-time peace officers employed by the law enforcement agency. The four agency-size categories are as follows:

(A) Small agency--a Texas law enforcement agency that employs between one and 24 peace officers on a full-time basis.

(B) Medium agency--a Texas law enforcement agency that employs between 25 and 74 peace officers on a full-time basis.

(C) Intermediate agency--a Texas law enforcement agency that employs between 75 and 299 peace officers on a full-time basis.

(D) Large agency--a Texas law enforcement agency that employs 300 or more peace officers on a full-time basis.

(5) Portable voice tape recorders--a tape recorder that records sound and is capable of being carried or moved.

(6) Video unit--a video camera with transmitter-activated equipment, which is designed to be installed in law enforcement motor vehicles.

(7) Voucher--the letter from the department that awards the video unit(s) to the applicant, states the name of the vendor(s) to whom the applicant must submit the voucher and states the deadline by which the applicant must submit the voucher to the vendor.

§1.282.Criteria for Applicants and the Application.

(a) To qualify for video units, the applicant must be a Texas law enforcement agency and satisfy the definition of a "law enforcement agency" in Article 2.132 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

(b) To qualify for video units, the applicant's peace officers must satisfy the definition of a "peace officer" in Article 2.12 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

(c) Applicants must complete the department's official application, which can be found on the department's website at http://www.txdps.state.tx.us. The link for the application and questionnaire is located on the homepage at video camera application.

(d) All applications must be received by the department by the 30th day of August, 2002.

§1.283.Source of Funds for Video Units.

The department will only use the money available pursuant to the following authority to award video units to the successful applicants:

(1) Article III, §50-f, Texas Constitution;

(2) Senate Bill 1, Article IX, page IX-107, §10.87, 77th Legislature, R.S., 2001;

(3) Senate Bill 1, Article V, page V-56, Rider 56, 77th Legislature, R.S., 2001; and

(4) §1232.1115 of the Texas Government Code.

§1.284.Administration and Rules of the Voucher System.

(a) The State Council on Competitive Government will obtain the contract(s) with the vendor(s) to provide the video units. To facilitate the transfer of the video units to the successful applicants, the department will use a voucher system.

(b) The department will send a voucher to the successful applicants, notifying the applicant of the number of video unit(s) awarded to the applicant. The department will only award video units using the voucher system. Applicants shall not use vouchers to replace video units that an applicant already owns at the time the voucher is awarded.

(c) The department will begin sending out vouchers after September 1, 2002.

(d) The department will notify the unsuccessful applicants by letter, pursuant to Article 2.135(a)(2) of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure.

(e) Upon receipt of the voucher, the applicant must present the voucher to a vendor listed in the voucher to obtain the video unit(s). The vendor will ship the video unit(s) to the applicant.

(f) The applicant must present the voucher to a listed vendor within the timeline listed in the voucher. If an applicant fails to present the voucher to a listed vendor within the timeline listed in the voucher, the voucher will be invalidated.

(g) The applicant must obtain the number of video units listed in the voucher. Although the applicant will have the opportunity to buy upgrades for any video unit(s) they obtain with the voucher, the applicant can not combine multiple video units to obtain upgraded video unit(s). Also, the applicant can not use their voucher to obtain multiple downgraded video units.

(h) Upon receipt of the video unit(s), the applicant must then install the video unit(s) and return the certificate of installation and use to the department, according to Article 2.137(d) of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, within 60 calendar days of the applicant's receipt of the video unit(s) from the vendor.

(i) The department does not own and will not own the video units that will be awarded to the successful applicants. Once the applicant redeems the voucher, the applicant will become the owner of the video unit(s). The owner of the video unit(s) will be responsible for contacting the vendor regarding any warranty, defect or recall issues. The owner of the video unit(s) will also be responsible for any other issues regarding the procurement, use or disposal of the video unit(s).

(j) The department will not award vouchers or otherwise provide funding for the following:

(1) Installing the video units;

(2) Purchasing video tapes;

(3) Purchasing portable voice tape recorders; and

(4) Purchasing equipment for motorcycles, bicycles, horse patrols, foot patrols, unmarked patrol vehicles, etc.

(k) Applicants may not assign, sell or otherwise transfer their voucher. If an applicant assigns, sells or otherwise transfers their voucher, the voucher is automatically invalidated.

(l) All awards made by the department are final.

§1.285.Order in Which Vouchers will be Awarded.

The department will award vouchers in the following order:

(1) Applications from small agencies from Police Departments, Sheriffs' Offices and Constables' Offices will be considered first, and voucher(s) will be awarded accordingly.

(2) To the extent there are remaining funds, applications from medium agencies from Police Departments, Sheriffs' Offices and Constables' Offices will be considered second, and voucher(s) will be awarded accordingly.

(3) To the extent there are remaining funds, applications from intermediate agencies from Police Departments, Sheriffs' Offices and Constables' Offices will be considered third, and voucher(s) will be awarded accordingly.

(4) To the extent there are remaining funds, applications from large agencies with a dedicated traffic law enforcement unit from Police Departments, Sheriffs' Offices and Constables' Offices will be considered fourth, and voucher(s) will be awarded accordingly for the dedicated traffic law enforcement patrol vehicles.

(5) To the extent there are any remaining funds, applications from City Marshals that make traffic stops in the routine performance of their official duties will be considered fifth, and voucher(s) will be awarded accordingly.

(6) To the extent there are any remaining funds, applications from Independent School District Police will be considered sixth, and voucher(s) will be awarded accordingly.

(7) To the extent there are any remaining funds, applications from University Police Departments will be considered seventh, and voucher(s) will be awarded accordingly.

(8) To the extent there are any remaining funds, applications from Recreational Patrols will be considered eighth, and voucher(s) will be awarded accordingly.

(9) To the extent there are any remaining funds, applications from District Attorneys will be considered ninth, and voucher(s) will be awarded accordingly.

(10) To the extent there are any remaining funds, applications from Fire Departments/Fire Marshals will be considered tenth, and voucher(s) will be awarded accordingly.

(11) To the extent there are any remaining funds, all other applications will be considered last, and voucher(s) will be awarded accordingly.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 23, 2002.

TRD-200203217

Thomas A. Davis, Jr.

Director

Texas Department of Public Safety

Earliest possible date of adoption: July 7, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 424-2135


Chapter 15. DRIVERS LICENSE RULES

Subchapter B. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS--ORIGINAL, RENEWAL, DUPLICATE, IDENTIFICATION CERTIFICATES

37 TAC §15.42

The Department of Public Safety proposes amendments to §15.42, concerning the requirement placed on an applicant to provide their Social Security Number (SSN) when applying for a Texas driver license or identification certificate. Applicants who have not applied for, been issued or assigned a social security number will be able to certify this fact in our offices. In doing so, the applicant will no longer be required to obtain a letter of ineligibility (L-676) from the Social Security Administration. This will eliminate multiple visits to our offices when applying for a driver license or identification certificate and eliminate the impact placed on the Social Security Administration field offices required to issue the L-676 form. Utilizing a department form for this certification provides the agency with the best alternatives for identification, investigation and possible enforcement action.

The amendments to this rule are as follows:

Statutory authority to collect an applicant's social security number exists in both federal and state law. It is preferable not to list all specific statutory cites in rule and as such the one reference to the Transportation Code is deleted.

Places in rule that the social security number will only be released to those entities that have specific statutory authority to receive it. It also lists the agencies currently having statutory authority.

Clarifies the documents that will be accepted for the verification of the social security number.

Clarifies that on subsequent renewal or duplicate transactions the applicant will verbally verify the social security number on record. In the event that the number does not match the SSN on record the applicant must provide supporting documentation.

Provides for the department to authenticate the social security number with the Social Security Administration. In the event that the social security number on record cannot be authenticated, the transaction will be denied until authentication takes place. In the event that a license had been previously issued, the applicant will receive a written request to provide additional information. Failure to provide additional information to resolve authentication issues may result in the cancellation of the driver license.

Creates the department's "Social Security Affidavit" to be used in those cases where an applicant has not applied for, been issued or assigned a social security number by the Social Security Administration.

Tom Haas, Chief of Finance, has determined that for each year of the first five-year period the rule is in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government, or local economies.

Mr. Haas also has determined that for each year of the first five years the rule is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rule will be to inform the public of the procedures required of individuals to provide SSN when applying for a driver license or identification card. There is no anticipated adverse economic effect on individuals, small businesses, or micro businesses. The anticipated cost to individuals who are required to comply with this section will be the actual cost of the driver license or identification card.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Frank Elder, Assistant Chief, Driver License Division, Texas Department of Public Safety, P.O. Box 4087, Austin, Texas 78773-0300, (512) 424-2768.

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, §521.005.

Texas Government Code, §411.004(3) and Texas Transportation Code, §521.005 are affected by this proposal.

§15.42.Social Security Number.

(a) The social security number shall be obtained from all applicants who have been issued a number by the United States Social Security Administration. This number will be utilized by the department for the purpose of additional identification and may be disclosed only to those entities that have statutory authority to receive the social security number. This includes the Child Support Division of the Office of the Attorney General - State of Texas, the United States Selective Service Administration, and the Texas Secretary of State . [ Texas Transportation Code, §521.142(e), provides that the department may require information necessary to determine the applicant's identity, competency, and eligibility. ]

(b) When a social security number is originally obtained, it is mandatory that documentation be provided to verify the number. Documentation may include : [ the actual social security card issued by the United States government, income tax documents, W-2 tax forms, and payroll or other employer records. A facsimile (flea market) or metal social security card or list of numbers from an employer shall not be used. ]

(1) Federal issued Social Security Card,

(2) Health Card (if member number represents Social Security Number),

(3) Pilot's license,

(4) Military identification (Active and reserve duty personnel only, not acceptable for dependents),

(5) Peace officer's license - Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education,

(6) DD-214,

(7) Medicare/Medicaid Cards,

(8) Certified college/university transcript designating number as SSN, or

(9) Veteran's administration card with social security number preprinted on card.

(c) On all duplicate and renewal driver [ driver's ] license applications, the documented social security number shall be obtained where it is not currently a part of the driving record. After the social security number becomes a part of the driver [ driver's ] license record, all future duplicate and renewal transactions occurring in a driver license office [ of driver's license ] will be verified verbally for the correct social security number. Should the social security number on record not match the number provided, the applicant will be required to provide acceptable documentation as listed above for verification [ Eligible renewal-by-mail applicants are required to provide a social security number certified by signature that the number provided on the application is true and correct ].

(d) The department may verify the authenticity of the social security numbers on record through the Social Security Administration. In the event that the social security number on record cannot be authenticated, the department may deny issuance of the renewal, duplicate or original transaction until such time as authentication is made through the Social Security Administration. If the license was previously issued, the department may mail to the address on record a notice requiring the license holder to provide additional documentation. Failure to comply with this request within 30 days may result in the cancellation of the driver license.

(e) [ (d) ] Applicants for an identification certificate will be asked to provide verification of SSN documentation. If the applicant fails or refuses to provide that social security information, the identification certificate will be issued without such documentation unless state or federal statute requires otherwise.

(f) Applicants who state they have not applied for, have not been issued or do not have a social security number assigned by the Social Security Administration will be given the department's "Social Security" affidavit for completion. This sworn affidavit will contain:

(1) The applicant's full name, date of birth, and driver license number;

(2) A statement that the applicant has not applied for, been issued or assigned a social security number by the United States Social Security Administration;

(3) A statement of release for verification and investigative purposes;

(4) A notice that failure to provide required information to the department may result in the cancellation of the applicant's driver license or identification certificate per Texas Transportation Code, §521.314; and

(5) A notice that the applicant can be subject to other criminal penalties including Texas Transportation Code, §521.451 and §521.454.

[(e) Individuals who do not possess a social security number will be referred to the Social Security Administration to obtain such number.]

[(1) An individual, ineligible to obtain a social security number due to immigration status, will be required to obtain a letter from the Social Security Administration (SSA L-676) indicating their non-eligibility.]

[(2) Upon presentation of the Social Security Administration letter demonstrating the applicant's ineligibility to obtain a social security number, the department will assign the applicant an alternate numeric identifier, to be used in lieu of the social security number. Thereafter, the driver's license application will be processed in accordance with existing policies, rules, and procedures.]

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 23, 2002.

TRD-200203218

Thomas A. Davis, Jr.

Director

Texas Department of Public Safety

Earliest possible date of adoption: July 7, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 424-2135


Chapter 21. EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLE STANDARDS

37 TAC §21.1

The Texas Department of Public Safety proposes an amendment to §21.1, concerning Equipment and Vehicle Standards. Subsection (b)(7) is deleted to comply with an opinion by the Texas Court of Appeals in Corpus Christi that subsection (b)(7) pertaining to pre-1988 vehicles is inconsistent with the legislative mandate set forth in Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 547.

Tom Haas, Chief of Finance, has determined that for each year of the first five-year period the rule is in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government, or local economies.

Mr. Haas also has determined that for each year of the first five-years the rule is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the rule will be compliance by the department with a decision of a Court of Appeals of this State. There is no anticipated adverse economic effect on individuals, small businesses, or micro-businesses.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Inspector Randy McDaniel, Texas Department of Public Safety, Office of Audit and Inspection, P.O. Box 4087, Austin, Texas 78773-0140, (512) 424- 2873.

The amendment is 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, §547.101, which provides that the department may adopt rules to administer this chapter.

Texas Government Code, §411.004(3) and Texas Transportation Code, §547.101 are affected by this proposal.

§21.1.Standards for Vehicle Equipment.

(a) Standards for vehicle equipment.

(1) Definition. The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Vehicle equipment means a system, part, or device that is manufactured or sold as original equipment, as replacement equipment, or as an accessory for a vehicle or a device or article of apparel manufactured or sold to protect a driver or passenger of a vehicle.

(2) Standards--federal motor vehicle safety standard. The performance standard for vehicle equipment established by the Texas Department of Public Safety shall be identical to the applicable federal standard.

(A) Lighting device--FMVSS 108:

(i) backup lamp;

(ii) clearance lamp;

(iii) hazard warning lamp, signal, flashers, and switches;

(iv) headlamp--sealed and nonsealed beam and housing;

(v) identification lamp;

(vi) license plate lamp;

(vii) parking lamp (front position lamps);

(viii) reflex reflector;

(ix) replacement lenses;

(x) school bus alternating warning lamp, signal, flashers, and switches;

(xi) side marker lamp;

(xii) stop signal lamp;

(xiii) tail lamp (rear position lamps);

(xiv) turn signal lamp, signal, flashers, and switches;

(xv) triangle warning device--FMVSS 125.

(B) Safety glass and glazing--FMVSS 205.

(C) Seat belts--FMVSS 209.

(3) Standards--Society of Automotive Engineers. The performance standard for vehicle equipment established by the Texas Department of Public Safety in which no federal standard is in effect shall be identical to the applicable standard adopted by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE).

(A) Lighting devices (auxiliary)--SAE:

(i) auxiliary low beam (passing lamp)--J582;

(ii) driving lamp--J581;

(iii) fog lamp--J583;

(iv) spot lamp--J591;

(v) high mounted stop and turn signal lamp--J186;

(vi) cornering lamp--J852;

(vii) side turn signal lamp--J914;

(viii) flashing warning lamp for emergency vehicle--J595;

(ix) 360-degree emergency warning lamp--J845.

(B) Special vehicle equipment--SAE:

(i) warning lamp alternating flashers--J1054;

(ii) motorcycle auxiliary front lamps--J1306.

(b) One-way glass and sun screening devices.

(1) One-way (AS-3) glass on motor vehicles. The following regulations establish standards and specifications for the use of one-way glass.

(A) One-way (AS-3) glass is safety glazing which must meet federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS 205 and 128) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z26.1-1977. The luminous reflectance and light transmittance capacity are incorporated into the glazing during the manufacturing process.

(B) Use of one-way (AS-3) glass. AS-3 safety glazing (one-way or privacy) glass is an option available on many new motor vehicles. It may be used anywhere in a bus, van, club wagon, truck, or truck tractor except in the windshield and front (side) windows to the immediate right and left of the driver, and in the rearmost window if such rearmost window is used for driving visibility. If the vehicle is equipped with outside rearview mirrors, then one-way (AS-3) glass may be used in the rearmost window. One-way glass may not be used in any window, interior partition, or aperture created for window purposes in a passenger automobile, station wagon, or taxicab.

(2) Sun screening device definitions. The following words and terms, when used in this section, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

(A) Sun screening device--A film material or device meeting standards adopted by the department for reducing the effects of the sun.

(B) Light transmission--The ratio of the amount of total light to pass through a product or material to the amount of total light falling on the product or material and the glazing.

(C) Luminous reflectance--The ratio of the amount of total light that is reflected outward by a product or material to the amount of total light falling on the product or material.

(D) Manufacturer means either--

(i) A person who engages in the manufacturing or assembling of a sun screening device; or

(ii) A person who fabricates, laminates, or tempers a safety glazing material, incorporating, during the manufacturing process, the capacity to reflect or reduce the transmission of light.

(E) Multipurpose vehicle--A motor vehicle designed to carry 10 or fewer persons that is constructed either on a truck chassis or with special features for occasional off-road use.

(3) Sun screening devices on motor vehicles.

(A) The following regulations establish standards and specifications for the use of sun screening devices.

(i) The front side wing vents and/or windows to the immediate right and left of the driver may be applied with a sun screening device that has a light transmission of not less than 35% and a luminous reflectance of not more than 35%. Labeling on these windows must be provided as referred to in paragraph (4) of this subsection. Labels on wing vents are not required.

(ii) Side windows which are to the rear of the driver may be applied with a sun screening device in conjunction with glazing (vehicle glass).

(iii) Rear window or windows may be applied with a sun screening device that has a light transmission of not less than 35% and a luminous reflectance of not more than 35% if labeling requirements are met in paragraph (4) of this subsection. Rear windows failing to meet labeling requirement of paragraph (4) of this subsection may be applied with sun screening devices if the motor vehicle is equipped with outside mirrors on both the left and right sides of the vehicle that are located so as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway through each mirror a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of the vehicle.

(B) This paragraph does not apply to a windshield that has a sun screening device that:

(i) has a light transmission of not less than 33%;

(ii) has a luminous reflectance of not more than 35%;

(iii) is not red or amber in color; and

(iv) does not extend downward beyond the AS-1 line or more than five inches from the top of the windshield, whichever is closer to the top of the windshield.

(4) Manufacturer requirements.

(A) Each manufacturer shall provide a label with a means for permanent and legible installation between the material and each glazing surface to which it is applied that contains the following information: manufacturer (name or registration number), and statement--complies with DPS, or 37 Texas Administrative Code (TAC).

(B) Each manufacturer shall include instructions with the product or material for proper installation, including the affixing of the label. At a minimum, one window shall have placed in the left lower corner between the sun screening device and the glass a label legible from the outside of the vehicle.

(C) Each manufacturer shall obtain certification of sun screening devices used on the front side wing vents and windows that certifies to the Texas Department of Public Safety that the product or material he or she manufactures or assembles is in compliance with the reflectivity and transmittance requirements of this section.

(5) Placement of required certificates and use of window covers.

(A) This section does not permit or prohibit the use and placement of federal, state, or local certificates on any window as are required or prohibited by applicable laws.

(B) The use of curtains, blinds, drapes, or stick-on novelty designs in the rear window or windows is not prohibited.

(C) Louvered materials, when installed as designed, shall not reduce the area of driver visibility below 50% as measured on a horizontal plane. When such materials are used in conjunction with the rear window, the measurement shall be made based upon the driver's view from the inside rearview mirror.

(6) On application from a person required for medical reasons to be shielded from the direct rays of the sun, supported by written attestation of that fact from a licensed physician, the Department of Public Safety may issue an exemption from the requirements of this section for a motor vehicle belonging to the person or in which the person is an habitual passenger. Application should be addressed to: Texas Department of Public Safety, Traffic Law Enforcement, P.O. Box 4087, Austin, Texas 78773-0500.

(7) [ The provisions of this subsection are applicable to motor vehicles if the manufacturer's model year is before 1988. ]

[ (8) ] This section does not apply to:

(A) an adjustable nontransparent sun visor mounted forward of the side windows and not attached to the glass;

(B) a side window that is to the rear of the driver on a multipurpose vehicle; or

(C) a motor vehicle that is not registered in this state.

(D) a vehicle that is maintained by a law enforcement agency and used for law enforcement purposes.

(8)

[ (9) ] Manufacturer's model year of a motor vehicle 1988 and later shall comply with the provisions of Texas Transportation Code, Subchapter 547.001, 547.609, and 547.613, and labeling requirements promulgated in paragraph (4)(B) of this subsection.

(c) Safety guards or flaps.

(1) Safety guards or flaps are required on all trucks, trailers, or semitrailers (in combination with a towing vehicle), if the rearmost axle of the vehicle (or combination) has four tires or more. They are not required on buses, pole trailers, motor homes, or truck tractors.

(2) Safety guards or flaps shall be located and suspended behind the rearmost wheels of such vehicle or if in combination behind the rearmost wheels of such combination to within eight inches of the surface of the roadway.

(3) A tolerance of four inches will be allowed.

(4) Safety guards or flaps shall be at least as wide as the tires they are protecting.

(5) When trailers and semitrailers are operated in combination with a towing vehicle, safety guards or flaps will be required on the rearmost axle of such combination.

(6) Safety guards or flaps shall be of metal, rubber, rubberized material, or other substantial material, capable of remaining in place back of rear wheels by their own weight while the said vehicle is being operated.

(7) The construction of safety guards or flaps will be such that they will remain in proper place back of rear wheels and will be rigid enough to prevent slush, mud, or gravel being transmitted from the vehicle's rear wheels to the windshield of the following vehicle.

(8) Safety guards or flaps should be securely mounted, as wide as the tire that it is protecting, not split or torn to the extent that it is ineffective and the bottom edge of the safety guard or flap shall be no more than 12 inches from the surface of the roadway.

(9) Refer to §23.78 of this title (relating to Instructions and Guidelines) for adopted vehicle inspection Rules and Regulations Manual.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 23, 2002.

TRD-200203216

Thomas A. Davis, Jr.

Director

Texas Department of Public Safety

Earliest possible date of adoption: July 7, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 424-2135


Part 5. TEXAS BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLES

Chapter 141. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Subchapter A. BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLES

37 TAC §141.1

The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles proposes an amendment to 37 TAC §141.1 concerning the duties of the presiding officer and the policy board. The amendment is proposed to clarify the authority of the presiding officer to delegate administrative matters, as necessary, to the policy board.

Gerald Garrett, Chair of the Board, has determined that, for the first five-year period the proposed amendment is in effect, no fiscal implications exist for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering this section.

Mr. Garrett also has determined that, for each year of the first five years the proposed amendment is in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the amendment will be a clarification of the presiding officer's and the policy board's position to administer executive decisions.

No anticipated economic corollary exists to small businesses or to persons required to comply with the proposed amendment.

Comments should be directed to Laura McElroy, General Counsel, Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, 209 West 14th St., Suite 500, Austin, Texas 78701. Written comments from the general public should be received within 30 days of the publication of this proposal.

The amendment is proposed under §508.035 and §508.036, Government Code, which specify the duties of the presiding officer and the policy board.

There is no cross-reference to the proposed amendment.

§141.1.Presiding Officer (Chair) and Policy Board

(a) The presiding officer (chair) is designated by the governor and serves in that capacity at the pleasure of the governor. The chair [ presiding officer (chair) ] acts as spokesperson for the board.

(b) Six members of the board shall serve as the policy board of the Board of Pardons and Paroles. The governor designates the policy board. The term of a member of the policy board is six years, to be served concurrently with the member's term on the board. The chair [ presiding officer (chair) ] of the board shall serve as presiding officer of the policy board.

(c) Policy board members shall administer other matters as required by the chair.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 22, 2002.

TRD-200203158

Laura McElroy

General Counsel

Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles

Earliest possible date of adoption: July 7, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 406-5458


Subchapter C. SUBMISSION AND PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION AND REPRESENTATION OF OFFENDERS

37 TAC §141.60, §141.61

The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles proposes amendments to 37 TAC, Chapter 141, §141.60, §141.61 Subchapter C, concerning the submission and presentation of information and the representation of incarcerated offenders. The amendments are proposed to conform the language of the rules to that of current board practice.

Gerald Garrett, Chair of the Board, has determined, that for the first five-year period the proposed amendments are in effect, no fiscal implications exist for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering this section.

Mr. Garrett also has determined that, for each year of the first five years the proposed amendments are in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the amendments will be a clarification of the language in regard to the requirements for submitting and presenting information to the Board on behalf of an offender.

No anticipated economic corollary exists to small businesses or to persons required to comply with the proposed amendments.

Comments should be directed to Laura McElroy, General Counsel, Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, 209 West 14th St., Suite 500, Austin, Texas 78701. Written comments from the general public should be received within 30 days of the publication of this proposal.

The amendments are proposed under §508.036, §508.082 and §508.083, Government Code, which vests the board with the authority to promulgate rules relating to the submission and presentation of information and arguments to the board, a parole panel, and the department for and in behalf of an offender.

There is no cross-reference to the proposed amendments.

§141.60.Submission and Presentation of Information

(a) Unless otherwise provided, information and arguments for and on behalf of an offender [ inmate ] shall be in writing.

(b) Unless otherwise provided, all information and arguments for and on behalf of an offender [ inmate ] shall be submitted to the Review and Release Processing Section-TDCJ, Austin, Texas.

(c) In the event that an offender's [ inmate's ] case is in the review period, copies of all information and arguments for and on behalf of an offender [ inmate ] may be submitted to members of the parole panel designated to consider the case. For this purpose, review period shall mean a period greater than two months but less than six months prior to the month of the next scheduled review [ scheduled review date ].

§141.61.Representation of an Offender [ Inmate ]

(a) Persons representing an offender [ inmate ] may appear before a member of the board panel designated to consider the offender's [ inmate's ] case.

(b) Requests for appearances by persons representing offenders [ inmates ] shall be only when the offender's [ inmate's ] case is under review, during the review period, and at the discretion of the members of the parole [ board ] panel designated to review the case.

(c) The time, place, and manner of contact between a person representing an offender [ inmate ] and a member of the board or an employee of the board shall be established by the members of the parole [ board ] panel designated to review the case.

(d) For this purpose, the review period shall mean a period greater than two months but less than six months prior to the month of the next scheduled review [ scheduled review date ].

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 22, 2002.

TRD-200203159

Laura McElroy

General Counsel

Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles

Earliest possible date of adoption: July 7, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 406-5458


Chapter 145. PAROLE

Subchapter A. PAROLE PROCESS

37 TAC §§145.12, 145.13, 145.20

The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles proposes amendments to 37 TAC §§145.12, 145.13, and 145.20, concerning conditions and rules of parole. The Board proposes amendments to these sections to conform the language of the rules to that of current board practice and to institute a new voting option for the parole process.

Gerald Garrett, Chair of the Board, has determined, that for the first five-year period the proposed amendments are in effect, no fiscal implications exist for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering this section.

Mr. Garrett also has determined that, for each year of the first five years the amended rules as proposed are in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result the amendments to this section will be a clarification of the language in regard to the Board's authority to make parole decisions.

No anticipated economic corollary exists to small businesses or to persons required to comply with the proposed amendment.

Comments should be directed to Laura McElroy, General Counsel, Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, 209 West 14th St., Suite 500, Austin, Texas 78701. Written comments from the general public should be received within 30 days of the publication of this proposal.

The amendments are proposed under §508.036 and §508.044, Government Code, which authorizes the policy board to adopt rules relating to the decision making processes used by the Board and parole panels and to determine which offenders are to be released to parole or mandatory supervision.

There is no cross-reference to the proposed amendment.

§145.12.Action upon Review.

A case reviewed by a parole panel for parole consideration may be:

(1) deferred for request and receipt of further information;

(2) denied a favorable parole action at this time and set for review on a future specific month and year (Set-Off). The next review docket date (Month/Year) may be set at any date in the three year incarceration period following the prior parole docket date, but in no event shall it be less than one calendar year from either the prior parole docket date or the date of the panel decision if the prior parole docket date has passed;

(3) deny parole and order serve-all, but in no event shall this be utilized if the offender's [ inmate's ] minimum expiration date is over three years from either the prior parole docket date or the date of the panel decision if the prior parole docket date has passed. If the serve-all date in effect on the date of the panel decision is extended by more than 180 days, the case shall be placed in regular parole review;

(4) determined that the totality of the circumstances favor the offender's [ inmate's ] release on parole, further investigation (FI) is ordered in the following manner; and, upon release to parole, all conditions of parole or release to mandatory supervision that the parole panel is required by law to impose as a condition of parole or release to mandatory supervision are imposed:

(A) FI-1-Release the offender when eligible;

(B) FI-2 (Month/Year)--Release on a specified future date within the three year incarceration period following either the prior parole docket date or date of the panel decision if the prior parole docket date has passed;

(C) FI-3 R (Month/Year)--Transfer to a TDCJ rehabilitation program. Release to parole only after program completion and no earlier than three months from specified date. Such TDCJ program may include the Pre-Release Substance Abuse Program (PRSAP). In no event shall the specified date be set more than three years from the current docket date or the date of the panel decision if the current docket date has passed;

(D) FI-4 (Month/Year)--Transfer to Pre-Parole Transfer facility prior to presumptive parole date set by a parole [ board ] panel and release to parole supervision on presumptive parole date, but in no event shall the specified date be set more than three years from either initial eligibility date, current docket date or date of panel decision, if the aforementioned dates have passed;

(E) FI 5--Transfer to In-Prison [ Inpatient ] Therapeutic Community Program. Release to aftercare component only after completion of IPTC program;

(F) FI 6 R (Month/Year)--Transfer to a TDCJ rehabilitation program. Release to parole only after program completion and no earlier than six months from specified date. Such TDCJ program may include the Pre-Release Therapeutic Community (PRTC). In no event shall the specified date be set more than three years from the current docket date or the date of the panel decision if the current docket date has passed;

(G) FI-9 R (Month/Year)--Transfer to a TDCJ rehabilitation program. Release to parole only after program completion and no earlier than nine months from specified date. Such TDCJ program may include the In-Prison Therapeutic Community (IPTC). In no event shall the specified date be set more than three years from the current docket date or the date of the panel decision if the current docket date has passed;

(H) FI-18 R (Month/Year)--Transfer to a TDCJ rehabilitation treatment program. Release to parole upon successful completion of the program [ only after program completion ] and no earlier than 18 months from the specified date. Such TDCJ program may include the Sex Offender Treatment Program (SOTP). In no event shall the specified date be set more than three years from the current docket date or the date of the panel decision if the current docket date has passed;

(5) any person released to parole after completing a TDCJ treatment program as a prerequisite for parole, must participate in and complete any required post-release program.

§145.13.Action upon Review; Consecutive (Cumulative) Felony Sentencing.

(a) This section applies only to an offender [ prisoner ] sentenced to serve consecutive sentences if each sentence in the series is for an offense committed on or after September 1, 1987.

(b) A parole panel shall review for parole consideration consecutive felony sentencing cases as determined and in the sequence submitted by TDCJ.

(c) If the case under parole consideration is a pre-final consecutive felony sentencing case, the parole panel may:

(1) defer for request and receipt of further information;

(2) vote CU/FI (Month/Year Cause Number), designate the date on which the offender would have been eligible for release on parole if the offender prisoner had been sentenced to serve a single sentence. This date shall be within a three-year incarceration period following either the prior parole docket date or date of the panel decision if the prior parole docket date has passed.

(3) [ (2) ] vote CU/NR (Month/Year Cause Number), deny favorable parole action and set for review on a future specific month and year (set-off). The next review docket date (Month/Year) may be set at any date in the three-year incarceration period following the prior parole docket date, but in no event shall it be less than one calendar year from either the prior parole docket date or the date of the panel decision if the prior parole docket date has passed; or

[(3) vote CU/FI (Month/Year Cause Number), designate the date on which the prisoner would have been eligible for release on parole if the offender prisoner had been sentenced to serve a single sentence. This date shall be within a three-year incarceration period following either the prior parole docket date or date of the panel decision if the prior parole docket date has passed.]

(4) vote CU/SA (Month/Year-Cause Number): Deny release; an offender is within 24 months of their maximum expiration date. .

(d) If the case under parole consideration is the last and final in a series of consecutive felony sentencing cases, the case shall be reviewed in accordance with §145.12 of this title (relating to Action upon Review).

(e) When a parole panel reviews for parole consideration a consecutive felony sentencing case, the parole panel shall indicate the Cause Number of the consecutive felony sentencing case it is considering.

§145.20.Parole Certificate.

(a) When the parole plan has been approved, a parole certificate shall be issued and signed with a facsimile signature of the chair . [ chairman or another member of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles. ].

(b) The parole approval is not effective or final until a formal parole agreement is executed by the offender [ inmate ]. The approval may be withdrawn by a parole panel at any time prior to the acceptance and execution by the offender [ inmate ] of the formal parole agreement(s) which is contained in the parole certificate.

(c) The parole certificate shall not become effective and in force until the conditions are agreed to, signed, and accepted by the offender [ inmate ].

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 22, 2002.

TRD-200203160

Laura McElroy

General Counsel

Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles

Earliest possible date of adoption: July 7, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 406-5458


37 TAC §145.15

The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles proposes 37 TAC §145.15, a new rule concerning extraordinary vote action upon review. The rule is proposed for adoption in order to bring the rules into compliance with current board practice.

Gerald Garrett, Chair of the Board, has determined, that for the first five-year period the proposed new rule is in effect, no fiscal implications exist for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering this section.

Mr. Garrett also has determined that, for each year of the first five years the proposed new rule is in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the new rule will be streamlining and clarification of the parole review process for cases which require extraordinary voting practices.

No anticipated economic corollary exists to small businesses or to persons required to comply with the proposed new rule.

Comments should be directed to Laura McElroy, General Counsel, Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, 209 West 14th St., Suite 500, Austin, Texas 78701. Written comments from the general public should be received within 30 days of the publication of this proposal.

The new rule is proposed under §508.036 and §508.044, Government Code, relating to the policy board's duty to adopt rules concerning the decision-making processes and conditions of parole or mandatory supervision used by the Board and parole panels.

There is no cross-reference to the proposed new rule.

§145.15.Action Upon Review; Extraordinary Vote.

(a) This section applies to any offender convicted of a capital offense under §21.11(a)(1) or §22.021, Penal Code, or who is required under §508.145(c), Government Code, to serve 35 calendar years before becoming eligible for parole review. All members of the board shall vote on the release of an eligible offender. At least two-thirds of the members must vote favorably for the offender to be released to parole. Members of the board shall not vote until they receive and review a copy of a written report from the department on the probability of the offender committing an offense after being released.

(1) Upon review, use of the full range of voting options is not conducive to determining whether two-thirds of the board considers the offender ready for release to parole.

(2) If it is determined that circumstances favor the offender's release to parole the board has the following voting options available:

(A) FI-1: Release the offender when eligible; or

(B) FI-18R (Month/Year): Transfer to a TDCJ rehabilitation treatment program. Release to parole upon successful completion of the program and no earlier than eighteen months from the specified date. Such TDCJ program may include the Sex Offender Treatment Program (SOTP). In no event shall the specified date be set more than two years from the current docket date or the date of the panel decision if the current docket date has passed.

(3) If it is determined that circumstances do not support a favorable action upon review, the following options are available:

(A) NR (Month/Year): Deny release and set the next date for review in 24 months; or

(B) SA: The offender's minimum expiration date is less than 24 months away. The offender will continue to serve their sentence until that date.

(b) If the offender is sentenced to serve consecutive sentences and each sentence in the series is for an offense committed on or after September 1, 1987, the following voting options are available to the board panel:

(1) CU/FI (Month/Year-Cause Number): A favorable parole action that designates the date an offender would have been released if the offender had been sentenced to serve a single sentence;

(2) CU/NR (Month/Year-Cause Number): Deny release and set the next date for review 24 months from either the prior docket date or the date of the panel decision if the prior parole docket date has passed; or

(3) CU/SA (Month/Year-Cause Number): Deny release; an offender is within 24 months of their maximum expiration date.

(c) Some offenders are eligible for consideration for release to Discretionary Mandatory Supervision if the sentence is for an offense committed on or after September 1, 1996. Prior to the offender reaching the mandatory release date, the voting options are the same as those listed in (a) and (b) in this section. Once an offender reaches the mandatory supervision serve all (SA) date, a board panel will consider the offender for release to mandatory supervision using the following options:

(1) RMS: Release to mandatory supervision when TDCJ determines that the prisoner has reached a mandatory supervision date; or

(2) DMS (Month/Year): The next date for mandatory supervision review shall be set one year from either the prior docket date or the date of the panel decision if the prior parole docket date has passed.

(d) Upon review of any eligible offender who qualifies for release to Medically Recommended Intensive Supervision (MRIS), the MRIS panel shall initially vote to either recommend or deny MRIS consideration. The MRIS panel shall base this decision on the offender's medical condition and medical evaluation, and shall determine whether the offender constitutes a threat to public safety.

(1) If the MRIS panel determines the offender does constitute a threat to public safety, no further voting is required.

(2) If the MRIS panel determines that the offender does not constitute a threat to public safety, the case shall be sent to the full board, which shall determine whether to approve or deny the offender's release to parole. The following voting options are available to the board:

(A) Approve MRIS: The board shall vote FI-1 and impose special condition "O"-"The offender shall comply with the terms and conditions of the MRIS program and abide by a TCOMI-approved release plan. At any time this condition is in effect, a releasee shall remain under the care of a physician and in a medically suitable placement"; the board shall provide appropriate reasons for the decision to approve MRIS.

(B) Deny MRIS: The board shall provide appropriate reasons for the decision to deny MRIS.

(3) The decision to approve release to MRIS for an offender remains in effect until specifically withdrawn by the board.

(e) If a request for a special review meets the criteria set forth in §145.17 (a)-(d), the offender's case shall be sent to the special review panel.

(1) The special review panel may take action as set forth in §145.17(i). If the panel determines that circumstances do not necessitate a special review, no further voting is required.

(2) If the panel grants the offender a special review, the case shall be re-voted by the full board. The chair shall determine which board office will begin the voting. Voting options are the same as those in (a)-(c) of this section.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 22, 2002.

TRD-200203166

Laura McElroy

General Counsel

Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles

Earliest possible date of adoption: July 7, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 406-5458


Subchapter B. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PAROLE

37 TAC §145.26

(Editor's note: The text of the following section proposed for repeal will not be published. The section may be examined in the offices of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles or in the Texas Register office, Room 245, James Earl Rudder Building, 1019 Brazos Street, Austin.)

The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles proposes the repeal of 37 TAC §145.26 concerning annual report status. The section is proposed for repeal to bring the rules into compliance with current board practice.

Gerald Garrett, Chair of the Board, has determined that for the first five-year period the proposed repeal of this rule is in effect, no fiscal implications exist for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering this section.

Mr. Garrett also has determined that, for each year of the first five years the proposed repeal is in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the repeal will be a clarification of the conditions and rules of parole.

No anticipated economic corollary exists to small businesses or to persons required to comply with the proposed rule repeal.

Comments should be directed to Laura McElroy, General Counsel, Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, 209 West 14th St., Suite 500, Austin, Texas 78701. Written comments from the general public should be received within 30 days of the publication of this repeal.

The repeal is proposed under §508.036 and §508.044, Government Code, relating to the policy board's duty to adopt rules concerning the decision-making processes and conditions of parole or mandatory supervision used by the Board and parole panels.

There is no cross-reference to the proposed repealed rules.

§145.26.Annual Report Status

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 22, 2002.

TRD-200203164

Laura McElroy

General Counsel

Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles

Earliest possible date of adoption: July 7, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 406-5458


Chapter 149. MANDATORY SUPERVISION

Subchapter A. RULES AND CONDITIONS OF MANDATORY SUPERVISION

37 TAC §149.1, §149.3

The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles proposes amendments to 37 TAC §149.1 and §149.3 concerning the rules and conditions of mandatory supervision and the supervision of Texas offenders in other states. The amendments are proposed to update the language and bring the sections into compliance with current board practice.

Gerald Garrett, Chair of the Board, has determined, that for the first five-year period the proposed amendments are in effect, no fiscal implications exist for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering this section.

Mr. Garrett also has determined that, for each year of the first five years the proposed amendments are in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the amendment will be a clarification of the Board's authority under law to make mandatory supervision decisions.

No anticipated economic corollary exists to small businesses or to persons required to comply with the proposed amendment.

Comments should be directed to Laura McElroy, General Counsel, Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, 209 West 14th St., Suite 500, Austin, Texas 78701. Written comments from the general public should be received within 30 days of the publication of this proposal.

The amendments are proposed under §508.036, §508.044, §508.147 and Subchapters F and G, Government Code. The board interprets §508.036 and §508.044 as authorizing the policy to adopt reasonable rules relating to the decision-making processes used by the board and parole panels. The board interprets §508.147 as authorizing the parole panels to determine the conditions of release to mandatory supervision. The board interprets Subchapters F and G as relating to the mandatory and discretionary conditions of parole or mandatory supervision.

There is no cross-reference to the proposed amendment.

§149.1.Conditions and Rules of Mandatory Supervision.

Every offender [ inmate ] being released on mandatory supervision shall be issued a written statement listing the conditions and rules of mandatory supervision in clear and intelligible language; and, upon release to mandatory supervision, all conditions of parole or release to mandatory supervision that the parole panel is required by law to impose as a condition of parole or release to mandatory supervision are imposed. The offender [ releasee ] may have additional conditions imposed by a parole panel after release, and shall be notified in writing of any such conditions. Continuance on mandatory supervision is conditioned upon full compliance with all conditions and rules of mandatory supervision as imposed by the parole panel.

§149.3.Texas Mandatory Supervision Offenders [ Releasees ] Supervised in Other States.

Texas mandatory supervision offender [ releasee ] accepted for supervision in other states under the terms of the Interstate Parole Compact (Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, Article 42.11) shall adhere to the conditions and rules of supervision for Texas and the receiving state. [ are required to abide by both the sections of mandatory supervision for Texas as set forth in §149.1 of this title (relating to Rules and Conditions of Mandatory Supervision) and the sections of parole of the receiving state. ]

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 22, 2002.

TRD-200203162

Laura McElroy

General Counsel

Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles

Earliest possible date of adoption: July 7, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 406-5458


37 TAC §149.2, §149.5

(Editor's note: The text of the following sections proposed for repeal will not be published. The sections may be examined in the offices of the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles or in the Texas Register office, Room 245, James Earl Rudder Building, 1019 Brazos Street, Austin.)

The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles proposes the repeal of 37 TAC §149.2 and §149.5 concerning restitution and annual report status. These sections are proposed for repeal to bring the rules into compliance with current board practice.

Gerald Garrett, Chair of the Board, has determined that for the first five-year period the proposed repeals of these rules is in effect, no fiscal implications exist for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering this section.

Mr. Garrett also has determined that, for each year of the first five years the proposed repeal is in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the repeal will be a clarification of the conditions and rules of mandatory supervision.

No anticipated economic corollary exists to small businesses or to persons required to comply with the proposed rule repeal.

Comments should be directed to Laura McElroy, General Counsel, Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, 209 West 14th St., Suite 500, Austin, Texas 78701. Written comments from the general public should be received within 30 days of the publication of this repeal.

The repeal is proposed under §508.036 and §508.044, Government Code, relating to the policy board's duty to adopt rules concerning the decision-making processes and conditions of parole or mandatory supervision used by the Board and parole panels.

There is no cross-reference to the proposed repealed rules.

§149.2.Restitution; Monthly Amount; Payment; Alteration.

§149.5.Annual Report Status.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 22, 2002.

TRD-200203165

Laura McElroy

General Counsel

Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles

Earliest possible date of adoption: July 7, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 406-5458


Subchapter B. SELECTION FOR MANDATORY SUPERVISION

37 TAC §149.16

The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles proposes amendments to 37 TAC §149.16 concerning the rules and conditions of mandatory supervision. The amendments are proposed to update the language and bring the section into compliance with current board practice.

Gerald Garrett, Chair of the Board, has determined, that for the first five-year period the proposed amendment is in effect, no fiscal implications exist for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering this section.

Mr. Garrett also has determined that, for each year of the first five years the proposed amendment is in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the amendment will be a clarification of the Board's authority under law to make mandatory supervision decisions.

No anticipated economic corollary exists to small businesses or to persons required to comply with the proposed amendment.

Comments should be directed to Laura McElroy, General Counsel, Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, 209 West 14th St., Suite 500, Austin, Texas 78701. Written comments from the general public should be received within 30 days of the publication of this proposal.

The amended rule is proposed under §508.036 and §508.044, Government Code, relating to the policy board's duty to adopt rules concerning the decision-making processes and conditions of parole or mandatory supervision used by the Board and parole panels.

There is no cross-reference to the proposed amendment.

§149.16.Mandatory Release Certificate

(a) When a mandatory release plan has been approved, a mandatory release certificate shall be issued and signed with a facsimile signature of the chair [ chairman or another member of the Board of Pardons and Paroles ].

(b) The approval of discretionary mandatory supervision may be withdrawn by the parole panel prior to the release of the offender.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 22, 2002.

TRD-200203163

Laura McElroy

General Counsel

Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles

Earliest possible date of adoption: July 7, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 406-5458