Your ID Goes On Your Phone For Up To $5

The text as introduced · 590 words

89R522 AJZ-D

By: West
S.B. No. 215

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the establishment of a program for the issuance of

digital identification; authorizing a fee.

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

SECTION 1. Subtitle B, Title 7, Transportation Code, is

amended by adding Chapter 526 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 526. DIGITAL IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM

Sec. 526.0101. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:

(1) "Department" and "driver's license" have the

meanings assigned by Section 521.001.

(2) "Digital identification" includes a digital

driver's license, a digital personal identification certificate, a

digital handgun license, and a digital hunting or fishing license.

(3) "Handgun license" means a license to carry a

handgun issued under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code.

(4) "Hunting or fishing license" means a noncommercial

hunting or fishing license of any type issued by the Parks and

Wildlife Department, including:

(A) a hunting license issued under Chapter 42,

Parks and Wildlife Code;

(B) a fishing license issued under Chapter 46,

Parks and Wildlife Code; or

(C) a combination hunting and fishing license

issued under Chapter 50, Parks and Wildlife Code.

Sec. 526.0102. DIGITAL IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM. (a) The

department, in consultation with the Parks and Wildlife Department,

by rule shall establish a program for the issuance of digital

identification.

(b) In establishing the digital identification program, the

department shall:

(1) assess existing department infrastructure and

upgrade department infrastructure according to the department's

findings;

(2) provide a digital identification solution that:

(A) is capable of presenting digital

identification on a wireless communication device that:

(i) must include the information included

on a driver's license, as described by Section 521.121(a); and

(ii) may include, as applicable:

(a) the information included on a

handgun license, as required by Subchapter H, Chapter 411,

Government Code; and

(b) the information included on a

hunting or fishing license, as required by the Parks and Wildlife

Code, including a stamp or other authorization issued by the Parks

and Wildlife Department in connection with the hunting or fishing

license;

(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;

(3) deploy the digital identification solution; and

(4) implement any procedures necessary to allow law

enforcement officials to accept digital identification.

(c) The department may contract with a third party to

establish the program described by this section if the cost of the

contract is covered by the fee authorized under Subsection (d).

(d) The department may charge a fee of not more than $5 for

the issuance of digital identification under this section.

(e) Except as otherwise provided by this subsection or

federal law, a person shall accept digital identification issued

under this section as evidence of another person's identity in the

same manner as a driver's license. Digital identification issued

under this section may not be used for voting purposes.

SECTION 2. (a) The Department of Public Safety by rule

shall establish and implement the digital identification program

under Chapter 526, Transportation Code, as added by this Act, not

later than September 1, 2026.

(b) If before implementing any provision of this Act the

Department of Public Safety determines that a waiver or

authorization from a federal agency is necessary for the

implementation of that provision, the Department of Public Safety

shall request the waiver or authorization and may delay

implementing that provision until the waiver or authorization is

granted.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.