BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 640

By: Canales

Government Transparency & Operation

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Recently enacted legislation allowed drivers to show proof of auto insurance on their smartphones and reports indicate that other states have passed similar laws. In an effort to continue this digital trend, H.B. 640 requires the Department of Public Safety to conduct a study concerning the use of a digital image for identification and proof of licensure purposes.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 640 amends the Government Code to add a temporary provision, set to expire January 1, 2017, to require the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to conduct a study determining the feasibility of establishing a system to allow a person to use a digital image displayed on an electronic device for identification purposes or to prove that the person has a driver's license, evaluating risks to personal information security that such a system might create, and surveying and evaluating digital identification and proof of licensure policies in other states. The bill requires DPS, not later than September 1, 2016, to submit a detailed report of its findings and recommendations to the legislature.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2015.