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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the establishment of a pilot program for the issuance of |
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digital identification. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subtitle B, Title 7, Transportation Code, is |
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amended by adding Chapter 526 to read as follows: |
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CHAPTER 526. DIGITAL IDENTIFICATION PILOT PROGRAM |
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Sec. 526.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: |
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(1) "Department" and "driver's license" have the |
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meanings assigned by Section 521.001. |
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(2) "Digital identification" includes digital |
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driver's licenses and digital personal identification |
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certificates. |
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Sec. 526.002. DIGITAL IDENTIFICATION PILOT PROGRAM. (a) |
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The department by rule shall establish a pilot program for the |
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issuance of digital identification. |
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(b) In establishing the digital identification pilot |
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program, the department shall: |
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(1) assess existing department infrastructure and |
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identify changes required to implement the program; |
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(2) upgrade department infrastructure according to |
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the department's findings under Subdivision (1); |
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(3) acquire a mobile application that: |
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(A) displays digital identification that |
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includes the information described by Section 521.121(a) on a |
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wireless communication device; |
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(B) includes an authentication and verification |
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process for a wireless communication device; and |
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(C) may be used in any location regardless of the |
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location's level of wireless connectivity or cellular telephone |
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service; |
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(4) deploy the digital identification mobile |
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application at no cost to focus groups for testing and evaluation; |
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and |
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(5) implement a law enforcement version of the |
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application for field testing. |
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(c) Digital identification issued under this section may |
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not be used or accepted as valid proof of identification. |
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(d) The department may contract with a third party to |
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establish the pilot program described by this section if the |
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contract is at no cost to the department. |
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(e) The department shall prepare a report containing the |
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results of the pilot program and the department's recommendations. |
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The department shall submit the report to the Public Safety |
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Commission and the legislature not later than the 180th day after |
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the date of completion of the pilot program. |
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Sec. 526.003. EXPIRATION. This chapter expires September |
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1, 2023. |
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SECTION 2. The Department of Public Safety shall adopt the |
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initial rules for the digital identification pilot program under |
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Chapter 526, Transportation Code, as added by this Act, not later |
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than February 1, 2022. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |