SRC-JBJ H.B. 571 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 571 By: Hupp (Nelson) State Affairs 5/9/1999 Engrossed DIGEST Currently, a driver's license issued by the state contains information about the license holder in an electronically readable form. At the time of application, the holder must provide fingerprints, as well. H.B. 571 prohibits the Department of Public Safety (DPS) from including any information on a driver's license, commercial driver's license, or identification certificate in electronically readable form other than the specified information. In addition. H.B. 571 would require DPS to take necessary steps to ensure that the information is used only for law enforcement or governmental purposes, otherwise an unauthorized use of the information will be a Class A misdemeanor. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 571 would prohibit the use of certain information collected and used in connection with a driver's license or identification certificate, and would provide a penalty. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 521F, Transportation Code, by adding Section 521.126, as follows: Sec. 521.126. ELECTRONICALLY READABLE INFORMATION. Prohibits the Department of Public Safety (DPS) from including any information on a driver's license, commercial driver's license, or identification certificate in an electronically readable form other than the information printed on the license and physical description of the license. Requires DPS to take the necessary steps to ensure that the information is used only for law enforcement or governmental purposes. Provides that an unauthorized use of the information is a Class A misdemeanor. SECTION 2.Makes application of this Act prospective. SECTION 3.Effective date: September 1, 1999. SECTION 4.Emergency clause.