SB 215

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,
(B)  a fishing license issued under Chapter 46,
(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
(b)  In establishing the digital identification program, the
(1)  assess existing department infrastructure and
upgrade department infrastructure according to the department's
(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,
(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
(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
(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
(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
SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.