BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	C.S.S.B. 991
86R24740 AAF-D	By: Men�ndez
	Transportation
	4/10/2019
	Committee Report (Substituted)

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

S.B. 991 establishes a pilot program in the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas (DPS) for the issuance of digital identification and digital personal information. DPS shall assess existing department infrastructure, identify changes required to implement the program, and upgrade department infrastructure according to the department's findings.

They will acquire a mobile application that displays digital identification that (A) includes the information described by Section 521.121(a) on a wireless communication device; (B) includes an authentication and verification process for a wireless communication device; and (C) may be used in any location regardless of the location's level of wireless connectivity or cellular telephone service.

Further, this will deploy the digital identification mobile application at no cost to focus groups for testing and evaluation and implement a law enforcement version of the application for field testing. DPS may contract with a third party to establish the pilot program described by this section if the contract is at no cost to DPS. (Original Author's/Sponsor's Statement of Intent)

C.S.S.B. 991 amends current law relating to a study on the issuance of digital identification.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. Defines "department" as the Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas (DPS) and defines "driver's license" and "digital identification."

SECTION 2. STUDY AND REPORT. (a) Requires DPS to contract with a third party to conduct a study and create a report on the feasibility of issuing digital identification in this state.

(b) Requires the study to:

(1) determine whether DPS should establish a pilot program for the issuance of digital identification;

(2) determine whether a person may use digital identification in the same manner as a physical driver's license or personal identification certificate, including whether circumstances exist under which a person may not use digital identification;

(3) assess existing DPS infrastructure and identify changes required to issue digital identification in this state; and

(4) evaluate existing mobile applications that:

(A) are capable of displaying digital identification;

(B) include an authentication and verification process for a wireless communication device; and

(C) may be used in any location regardless of the location's level of wireless connectivity or cellular service.

(c) Requires DPS, not later than December 1, 2022, to submit to the governor, lieutenant governor, and members of the legislature, the report created under Subsection (a) of this section that includes the findings of the study conducted under this section and any legislative recommendations based on the study.�

SECTION 3. EXPIRATION DATE. Provides that this Act expires January 1, 2023.

SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2019.