The bill proposes the establishment of a Digital Identification Program under Chapter 526 of the Transportation Code, which will allow the issuance of digital identification, including digital driver's licenses, personal identification certificates, handgun licenses, and hunting or fishing licenses. The Department of Public Safety, in consultation with the Parks and Wildlife Department, is tasked with creating this program, which will include assessing and upgrading existing infrastructure, providing a digital identification solution that can be presented on wireless devices, and ensuring that law enforcement can accept digital identification. The department may charge a fee of up to $5 for the issuance of these digital identifications.
Additionally, the bill specifies that digital identification must be accepted as valid evidence of identity, similar to a traditional driver's license, but it cannot be used for voting purposes. The Department of Public Safety is required to implement the program by September 1, 2026, and may delay implementation if a federal waiver or authorization is needed. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.
Statutes affected: Introduced: ()