By: Menéndez, Lucio S.B. No. 991
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study on the issuance of digital identification.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act:
(1) "Department" and "driver's license" have the
meanings assigned by Section 521.001, Transportation Code.
(2) "Digital identification" includes digital
driver's licenses and digital personal identification
certificates.
SECTION 2. STUDY AND REPORT. (a) The department shall
conduct a study on the feasibility of issuing digital
identification in this state.
(b) The study must:
(1) determine whether the department should establish
a pilot program for the issuance of digital identification;
(2) determine whether a person may use digital
identification in the same manner as a physical driver's license or
personal identification certificate, including whether
circumstances exist under which a person may not use digital
identification;
(3) assess existing department infrastructure and
identify changes required to issue digital identification in this
state;
(4) evaluate existing mobile applications that:
(A) are capable of displaying digital
identification;
(B) include an authentication and verification
process for a wireless communication device; and
(C) may be used in any location regardless of the
location's level of wireless connectivity or cellular service; and
(5) examine methods other digital identification
programs use to maintain the security of the program, including:
(A) how other digital identification programs
ensure that the information provided by the digital identification
is accessible only for that purpose; and
(B) the security features other digital
identification programs use to protect against identity theft.
(c) Not later than December 1, 2022, the department shall
submit to the governor, lieutenant governor, and members of the
legislature a report that includes the findings of the study
conducted under this section and any legislative recommendations
based on the study.
SECTION 3. CONFIDENTIALITY. Personal identifying
information, as defined by Section 521.002, Business & Commerce
Code, collected or maintained for the study conducted by the
department under Section 2 of this Act is confidential and not
subject to disclosure under Chapter 552, Government Code.
SECTION 4. EXPIRATION DATE. This Act expires January 1,
2023.
SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect
immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members
elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas
Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for
immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2019.