What law passed in 1969 gave the TXDPS authority to develop rules and regulations for breath and alcohol testing throughout Texas?

The Implied Consent Law, passed in 1969, is significant because it established the legal framework that requires drivers to comply with chemical testing when suspected of driving while intoxicated (DWI). This law effectively gives law enforcement the authority to administer breath tests and outlines the procedures for testing and consequences for refusal. It empowers the Texas Department of Public Safety (TXDPS) to create specific rules and regulations that govern how breath and alcohol testing is conducted across the state.

This foundational legislation helps ensure that there are standardized methods for testing, which is critical for maintaining consistency in handling DWI cases and upholding public safety. It underpins the operational protocol of breath testing apparatus, including the Intoxilyzer 9000, thereby ensuring its reliability as an evidentiary tool in legal scenarios involving alcohol impairment.

Other laws listed, such as the Alcohol Testing Act, the Breathalyzer Regulation Act, and the Standardized Testing Procedures Law, may relate to alcohol testing but do not specifically correlate to the legislative authority provided to TXDPS under the Implied Consent Law.