Bill Caption

Relating to the Texas Consumer Privacy Act Phase I; creating criminal offenses; increasing the punishment for an existing criminal offense.

Fiscal Notes

Estimated Two-­year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB 15, Committee Report 2nd House, Substituted: an impact of $0 through the biennium ending August 31, 2023. However, there would be costs and revenue losses to various other funds.

The bill would make no appropriation but could provide the legal basis for an appropriation of funds to implement the provisions of the bill.

Bill Analysis

SB 15 would amend consumer privacy protections in order to limit the disclosure of certain private information of drivers by the Texas Department of Transportation or the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. The bill would also create a criminal offense for unauthorized disclosure of this confidential information, punishable by a misdemeanor fine not to exceed $100,000.

Vote Recommendation Notes

Texas Action supports SB 15. The provisions of the bill would enhance the confidentiality of Texas drivers' personal information and would prohibit the sale of personal information without the individual's consent. Texas state agencies should not sell or disclose drivers' personal information in the form of mailing lists or in any other form or for any purpose other than to a law enforcement agency for a valid law enforcement purpose.