Texas Senate Bill SB2086

Texas 2021 - 87th Regular

Caption

Relating to the establishment of the Texas Uninsured Vehicle Enforcement Program.

Impact

If enacted, the Texas Uninsured Vehicle Enforcement Program would significantly modify state enforcement mechanisms related to vehicle insurance. By allowing law enforcement agencies access to automated systems designed to capture and analyze license plate data, the bill is expected to lead to a more efficient identification process for uninsured vehicles, ultimately aiming to increase compliance rates among drivers. Additionally, the bill grants state agencies the ability to utilize state-owned infrastructure to implement these systems, potentially expanding their reach and effectiveness.

Summary

Senate Bill 2086 proposes the establishment of the Texas Uninsured Vehicle Enforcement Program aimed at enhancing the identification and enforcement against uninsured vehicles on Texas roads. This bill introduces the use of automatic license plate reader systems which will facilitate the automatic capture and data recording of license plate numbers. The primary goal is to support law enforcement in enforcing the financial responsibility requirements laid out in state law, specifically Section 601.191.

Contention

There are important considerations surrounding privacy and data security with the introduction of automatic license plate readers. While the bill specifies that captured plate data is restricted to authorized personnel and that it should only be used for enforcement purposes, concerns arise over the potential for misuse of data and the implications of monitoring vehicles without warrants. Additionally, stakeholders may debate the effectiveness of such programs in substantially reducing uninsured driving, especially if perceived as overly invasive.