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.