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.