88R19925 JTZ-F By: Guillen H.B. No. 2453 Substitute the following for H.B. No. 2453: By: Walle C.S.H.B. No. 2453 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the issuance of a digital occupational license by a state agency, county, or municipality. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Title 2, Occupations Code, is amended by adding Chapter 60 to read as follows: CHAPTER 60. DIGITAL LICENSES Sec. 60.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: (1) "Licensing authority" means a state agency, county, or municipality that is authorized to issue an occupational license. (2) "Occupational license" means a license, certificate, registration, permit, or other form of authorization required by statute, ordinance, order, or rule that must be obtained by an individual to engage in a particular business, occupation, or profession. Sec. 60.002. REQUIREMENTS FOR DIGITAL LICENSES. A licensing authority that issues an occupational license may issue a digital license to a license holder. If the licensing authority issues a digital license, the digital license must comply with the following requirements: (1) the digital license must be in a secure format and readily accessible by the license holder through an Internet website and on a wireless communication device; (2) the public must be able to view a license holder's digital license through an Internet website or by using a QR code as defined by Section 443.001, Health and Safety Code; and (3) if the authority contracts with a vendor for the issuance of a digital license, the digital license must be in a format in which the vendor and authority can verify the validity of the license. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.