House Bill No. 4346 amends Section 550.065 of the Transportation Code regarding the release of motor vehicle collision report information. The bill specifies that the information is privileged and confidential, primarily for use by the department and certain governmental agencies for collision prevention and criminal investigations. It expands the list of entities that can request this information, including law enforcement agencies, courts, and various stakeholders directly involved in the collision, such as drivers, vehicle owners, and insurance companies. Notably, the bill introduces a new subsection (e-1) that allows governmental entities to release vehicle identification numbers and specific collision information to authorized individuals.

Additionally, the bill emphasizes the protection of personal information by prohibiting the release of sensitive data, such as names, addresses, and insurance details, from collision reports. It clarifies that the department or governmental entity must withhold or redact this information when releasing reports. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, and it prevails over any conflicting legislation from the 89th Legislature's Regular Session in 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Transportation Code 550.065 (Transportation Code 550)
House Committee Report: Transportation Code 550.065 (Transportation Code 550)