By: Menéndez, Lucio S.B. No. 991

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a study on the issuance of digital identification.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. In this Act:

(1) "Department" and "driver's license" have the meanings assigned by Section 521.001, Transportation Code.

(2) "Digital identification" includes digital driver's licenses and digital personal identification certificates.

SECTION 2. STUDY AND REPORT. (a) The department shall conduct a study on the feasibility of issuing digital identification in this state.

(b) The study must:

(1) determine whether the department 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 department infrastructure and identify changes required to issue digital identification in this state;

(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; and

(5) examine methods other digital identification programs use to maintain the security of the program, including:

(A) how other digital identification programs ensure that the information provided by the digital identification is accessible only for that purpose; and

(B) the security features other digital identification programs use to protect against identity theft.

(c) Not later than December 1, 2022, the department shall submit to the governor, lieutenant governor, and members of the legislature a report that includes the findings of the study conducted under this section and any legislative recommendations based on the study.

SECTION 3. CONFIDENTIALITY. Personal identifying information, as defined by Section 521.002, Business & Commerce Code, collected or maintained for the study conducted by the department under Section 2 of this Act is confidential and not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552, Government Code.

SECTION 4. EXPIRATION DATE. This Act expires January 1, 2023.

SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2019.