88R19925 JTZ-F
 
  By: Guillen H.B. No. 2453
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the issuance of a digital occupational license by a
  state agency, county, or municipality.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Title 2, Occupations Code, is amended by adding
  Chapter 60 to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 60. DIGITAL LICENSES
         Sec. 60.001.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
               (1)  "Licensing authority" means a state agency,
  county, or municipality that is authorized to issue an occupational
  license.
               (2)  "Occupational license" means a license,
  certificate, registration, permit, or other form of authorization
  required by statute, ordinance, order, or rule that must be
  obtained by an individual to engage in a particular business,
  occupation, or profession.
         Sec. 60.002.  REQUIREMENTS FOR DIGITAL LICENSES. A
  licensing authority that issues an occupational license may issue a
  digital license to a license holder. If the licensing authority
  issues a digital license, the digital license must comply with the
  following requirements:
               (1)  the digital license must be in a secure format and
  readily accessible by the license holder through an Internet
  website and on a wireless communication device;
               (2)  the public must be able to view a license holder's
  digital license through an Internet website or by using a QR code as
  defined by Section 443.001, Health and Safety Code; and
               (3)  if the authority contracts with a vendor for the
  issuance of a digital license, the digital license must be in a
  format in which the vendor and authority can verify the validity of
  the license.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.