TITLE 37.PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS

Part 1. TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Chapter 1. ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION

Subchapter D. PUBLIC INFORMATION POLICIES

37 TAC §§1.51 - 1.58

The Texas Department of Public Safety adopts amendments to §§1.51-1.58, concerning Public Information Policies, without changes to the proposed text as published in the January 31, 2003, issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 908) and will not be republished.

Amendment to §1.51 is necessary because some of the information that peace officers and other department employees have access to is confidential. The previous rule provided department employees with discretion over the release of information. After certain changes were made to the Texas Public Information Act, employees are now expected to refer these type calls to the Public Information Office instead of answering them on their own.

Amendments to §§1.52, 1.53, and 1.56-1.58 are necessary for clarification purposes only and are not substantive in nature. Amendment to §1.54 is necessary because the rule as previously adopted was incomplete. Amendment to §1.55(a) was necessary for clarification purposes only and was not substantive in nature.

One written comment was received by the department. The written comment was received from Mr. Ronald D. Stevens of Graham, Texas.

Mr. Stevens comment as well as the department's response thereto, is summarized below:

COMMENT: Mr. Stevens inquired whether the Public Information Office would answer questions from the general public, as well as from the news media.

RESPONSE: The department's Public Information Office will continue to answer questions from the general public, as well as from the news media. No changes were made as a result of this comment.

The amendments are adopted pursuant to Texas Government Code, §411.004(3) and §411.006(4), which provides the Public Safety Commission with the authority to adopt rules necessary for carrying out the department's work. The Director, subject to the approval of the Commission, shall have the authority to adopt rules considered necessary for the control of the department.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 1, 2003.

TRD-200302147

Thomas A. Davis, Jr.

Director

Texas Department of Public Safety

Effective date: April 21, 2003

Proposal publication date: January 31, 2003

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


37 TAC §1.60

The Texas Department of Public Safety adopts the repeal of §1.60, concerning Requests for Department of Public Safety Press Cards, without changes to the proposed text as published in the January 31, 2003, issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 910).

Repeal of the section is necessary due to the director having determined that the issuance of press cards is not necessary for the department's accomplishment of its statutory responsibilities nor does this program substantially enhance the department's accomplishment of those responsibilities.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the repeal.

The repeal is adopted pursuant to Texas Government Code, §411.004(3) and §411.006(4), which provides the Public Safety Commission with the authority to adopt rules necessary for carrying out the department's work. The Director, subject to the approval of the Commission, shall have the authority to adopt rules considered necessary for the control of the department.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 1, 2003.

TRD-200302145

Thomas A. Davis, Jr.

Director

Texas Department of Public Safety

Effective date: April 21, 2003

Proposal publication date: January 31, 2003

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


Subchapter E. VIDEOTAPES AND PHOTOGRAPHS

37 TAC §1.71

The Texas Department of Public Safety adopts an amendment to §1.71, concerning Videotapes and Photographs, without changes to the proposed text as published in the January 31, 2003, issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 910) and will not be republished.

Amendment to the section is necessary to clarify that the department will make documents which are requested by the public available to them under the guidelines of the Texas Public Information Act.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the amendment.

The amendment is adopted pursuant to Texas Government Code, §411.004(3) and §411.006(4), which provides the Public Safety Commission with the authority to adopt rules necessary for carrying out the department's work. The Director, subject to the approval of the Commission, shall have the authority to adopt rules considered necessary for the control of the department.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 1, 2003.

TRD-200302146

Thomas A. Davis, Jr.

Director

Texas Department of Public Safety

Effective date: April 21, 2003

Proposal publication date: January 31, 2003

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


Subchapter W. SENATE BILL 1074 VIDEO UNITS

37 TAC §1.285

The Texas Department of Public Safety adopts an amendment to §1.285(1), concerning the order in which vouchers for video units will be awarded 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, without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 27, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 12165).

The purpose of the amendment to §1.285(1) is to have the rule more closely reflect what the department believes is the legislative intent regarding Article 2.137(a) of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure. Therefore, §1.285(1) is amended to include marshals of an incorporated city, town, or village that are the primary law enforcement agency in their jurisdiction.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the amendment.

The amendment is adopted 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.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 1, 2003.

TRD-200302135

Thomas A. Davis, Jr.

Director

Texas Department of Public Safety

Effective date: April 21, 2003

Proposal publication date: December 27, 2002

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


Chapter 11. COMMERCIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION

Subchapter A. COMMERCIAL VEHICLE REGISTRATION ENFORCEMENT

37 TAC §11.3, §11.4

The Texas Department of Public Safety adopts amendments to §11.3 and §11.4, relating to Commercial Vehicle Registration, without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 27, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 12166).

§11.3 is amended so that the current Texas Transportation Code chapter that addresses vehicle registration is reflected in the rule.

Amendment to §11.4 is necessary in order to update the definition of the term "apportionable vehicle."

No comments were received regarding adoption of the amendments.

The amendments are adopted 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 Government Code, §2001.039.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 1, 2003.

TRD-200302136

Thomas A. Davis, Jr.

Director

Texas Department of Public Safety

Effective date: April 21, 2003

Proposal publication date: December 27, 2002

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


Subchapter D. WEIGHT LAW ENFORCEMENT

37 TAC §11.52

The Texas Department of Public Safety adopts an amendment to §11.52, relating to Commercial Vehicle Registration, without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 27, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 12166).

Amendment to §11.52 is necessary in order to cite to an additional section of Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 621.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the amendment.

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 Government Code, §2001.039.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 1, 2003.

TRD-200302137

Thomas A. Davis, Jr.

Director

Texas Department of Public Safety

Effective date: April 21, 2003

Proposal publication date: December 27, 2002

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


Chapter 16. COMMERCIAL DRIVERS LICENSE

Subchapter A. LICENSING REQUIREMENTS, QUALIFICATIONS, RESTRICTIONS, AND ENDORSEMENTS

37 TAC §16.13

The Texas Department of Public Safety adopts an amendment to §16.13, concerning Farm-Related Service Industry Waiver, without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 27, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 12167).

§16.13(c)(4)(D) is amended to delete the specific listing of serious traffic violations and replace the listing with the appropriate Texas Transportation Code, §522.003(25). This will allow for the rule to track legislative changes without further amendments.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the amendment.

The amendment is adopted 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, §522.005.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 1, 2003.

TRD-200302138

Thomas A. Davis, Jr.

Director

Texas Department of Public Safety

Effective date: April 21, 2003

Proposal publication date: December 27, 2002

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


Subchapter B. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS AND EXAMINATIONS

37 TAC §16.41

The Texas Department of Public Safety adopts the repeal of §16.41, concerning Nonresident Commercial Driver Licenses, without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 27, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 12169) and will not be republished.

The section is repealed because statutory authority provides for the issuance of a Nonresident Commercial Driver License at the discretion of the department. Therefore, this does not need to be restated by rule.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the repeal.

The repeal is adopted 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, §522.005.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 1, 2003.

TRD-200302139

Thomas A. Davis, Jr.

Director

Texas Department of Public Safety

Effective date: April 21, 2003

Proposal publication date: December 27, 2002

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


Subchapter C. CHANGE OF LICENSE STATUS, RENEWALS, SURRENDER OF LICENSE, FEES

37 TAC §16.74

The Texas Department of Public Safety adopts the repeal of §16.74, concerning Fees, without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 27, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 12169) and will not be republished.

The section is being repealed as the need for this rule no longer exists. The rule previously provided for the staggering of the fee structure which expired in December, 2001.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the repeal.

The repeal is adopted 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, §522.005.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 1, 2003.

TRD-200302140

Thomas A. Davis, Jr.

Director

Texas Department of Public Safety

Effective date: April 21, 2003

Proposal publication date: December 27, 2002

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


Subchapter D. SANCTIONS AND DISQUALIFICATIONS

37 TAC §16.93, §16.99

The Texas Department of Public Safety adopts amendments to §16.93 and §16.99, concerning Sanctions and Disqualifications, without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 27, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 12170) and will not be republished.

Section 16.93 is amended to eliminate language in rule that is specific in statute; clarify the use of offenses for suspension, disqualification, and habitual violator cases and provide direction to the Transportation Code cite; and clarify statutory reference with regard to offenses that may be used in these cases.

Section 16.99(b) is amended to correctly name the bureau responsible for reinstatement in this instance. This bureau was previously known as the Driver Improvement and Control Bureau.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the amendments.

The amendments are adopted 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, §522.005.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 1, 2003.

TRD-200302141

Thomas A. Davis, Jr.

Director

Texas Department of Public Safety

Effective date: April 21, 2003

Proposal publication date: December 27, 2002

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