BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 2138
85R10593 AAF-D	By: Lucio
	Transportation
	4/24/2017
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Current law does not allow for a digital driver's license. As a result, a study was conducted by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and published on August 2016 as instructed by S.B. 1934, 83rd Legislature, Regular Session, 2015, on the feasibility of a digital form of a driver's license. The study recommended a "phased approach" to prepare DPS infrastructure to support a digital driver's license. S.B. 2138 is the next phase in the development of a digital driver's license.

S.B. 2138 follows the recommendation set out by DPS and creates a pilot program in Cameron County to "assess and prepare existing department infrastructure to support a digital driver's license."

As proposed, S.B. 2138 amends current law relating to the establishment of a pilot program for the issuance of digital driver's licenses.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Texas Department of Public Safety in SECTION 1 (Section 526.002, Transportation Code) of this bill.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subtitle B, Title 7, Transportation Code, by adding Chapter 526, as follows:

CHAPTER 526. DIGITAL DRIVER'S LICENSE PILOT PROGRAM

Sec. 526.001. DEFINITIONS. Defines "department" and "driver's license."

Sec. 526.002. DIGITAL DRIVER'S LICENSE PILOT PROGRAM. (a)� Authorizes the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), by rule, to, if funds are appropriated for the purposes of this chapter, establish a pilot program for the issuance of digital driver's licenses (pilot program) in Cameron County.

(b) Requires DPS to, in establishing the pilot program, incorporate one or more of certain phases.

(c) Authorizes DPS to contract with another person to establish the pilot program.

(d) Requires DPS to prepare a report containing the results of the pilot program and DPS's recommendations. Requires DPS to submit the report to the Public Safety Commission and the legislature not later than December 1, 2018.

Sec. 526.003.� EXPIRATION. Provides that this chapter expires September 1, 2019.

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2017.

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