Technology (Data Privacy)

in committee · Texas · House Mar 11, 2025

HB 1421: Relating to the disclosure of certain personal information contained in motor vehicle records.

HB 1421 amends Texas law to clarify when law enforcement, specific state agencies (like the DMV or tax assessor-collector), and public defenders may access a person's photographic image from motor vehicle records. The bill specifies four key exceptions: disclosure is permitted for official law enforcement purposes, investigations into violations of benefits laws (Human Resources Code Chapters 31/33), labor code violations (Labor Code Title 4), or public defender investigations. It also maintains courts' authority to compel such disclosures via subpoena. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, and does not restrict existing disclosure rules but explicitly defines permitted uses.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill restricts access to personal photos in motor vehicle records, protecting data privacy by limiting disclosure to specific authorized purposes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

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signed · Texas · Senate May 19, 2025

SB 2314: Relating to the creation of an electronic platform and submission portal, known as My Texas Future, to facilitate public high school students' awareness of and application to institutions of higher education using the electronic common admission application form.

SB 2314 creates "My Texas Future," an electronic platform (MyTexasFuture.org) to help Texas public high school students apply to colleges using a common application. It requires students to opt-in to share their data with colleges for direct admissions programs, with specific opt-out options for parents, emancipated students, or with counselor authorization. The platform must include links to the common application, direct admission listings, financial aid information, and post-secondary value assessments. Schools must annually notify students about creating profiles during registration, and colleges must prominently link to the platform on their admissions websites. This affects all Texas public high school students and institutions of higher education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates My Texas Future platform to streamline college applications and improve student access to higher education resources, directly advancing educational access for K-12 students.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires opt-in data sharing with parental consent options, aligning with 'Protection of Personal Information' subject and data privacy safeguards.85% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Financial Aid Data Privacy

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 2068: Relating to the duty of an appraisal district to keep confidential certain identifying information provided by a property owner.

SB 2068 requires Texas appraisal districts to keep certain personal information confidential when property owners apply for tax exemptions. The bill specifically protects driver's license numbers, social security numbers, personal ID numbers, children's names/ages, and home addresses provided in exemption applications. This information may only be shared with authorized appraisal district employees or agents performing appraisal services, not with the public or other entities. The law takes effect September 1, 2025, directly affecting property owners who file exemption applications.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProtects personal data privacy in property tax applications, aligning with data privacy indicators under Technology policies.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 2121: Relating to the regulation of certain business entities that act as data brokers.

SB 2121 regulates data brokers in Texas by defining them as businesses that collect, process, or transfer personal data not gathered directly from individuals. It applies only to data brokers meeting one of two thresholds: deriving over 50% of revenue from such data, or processing data for more than 50,000 individuals. The bill amends Texas' Business & Commerce Code to establish these criteria, effective September 1, 2025, and directly affects larger data brokerage entities meeting these specific revenue or scale thresholds.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates data brokers to protect personal information, aligning with data privacy safeguards under Texas law per bill's definition and thresholds.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

in committee · Texas · Senate Feb 3, 2025

SB 78: Relating to the security of election systems.

SB 78 requires the Texas Secretary of State to establish security rules for election data, including encryption standards and strict access controls limiting sensitive data to only necessary personnel. It mandates appointing a dedicated cybersecurity expert to implement protections, conduct biennial security assessments of election systems, and provide mandatory training for all staff handling election data. In case of a breach, the bill requires immediate notification to state leadership, restricted system access during investigations, and written alerts to affected individuals if personal data is compromised. The law directly affects state election offices, county election officials, and all personnel with access to election systems or data.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates encryption, strict access controls, cybersecurity expert, and breach notification for election systems, directly strengthening data privacy and cybersecurity protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Cybersecurity Data Privacy

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in committee · Texas · House May 7, 2025

HB 2892: Relating to the prohibited release by a public agency of personal affiliation information regarding the members, supporters, or volunteers of or donors to certain nonprofit organizations; creating a criminal offense.

HB 2892 prohibits Texas public agencies from requiring or disclosing personal information identifying individuals who are members, supporters, volunteers, or donors to certain nonprofits (specifically 501(c) organizations or Texas nonprofit corporations). It bans agencies from compiling, sharing, or publicly releasing such "personal affiliation information," including lists of donors or supporters provided to contractors or grantees. Exceptions apply only if the information was voluntarily shared by the individual or nonprofit. Violations would constitute a criminal offense under the law.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits public agencies from disclosing personal affiliation data of nonprofit supporters/donors, directly protecting personal information under data privacy framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

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in committee · Texas · House May 15, 2025

HB 2413: Relating to the authority of a county to dispose of sensitive media devices.

HB 2413 allows Texas counties to destroy "sensitive media devices" (data storage devices containing information regulated by state or federal law, like personal records) that are classified as salvage or surplus property. The bill requires county commissioners courts to approve destruction only when it prevents inadvertent disclosure of protected information during disposal. It specifically amends Local Government Code Section 263.1521 to establish this process, effective September 1, 2025. The bill directly affects county governments managing data storage devices, providing a clear procedure for secure disposal without requiring new data collection or regulations.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill requires county approval for destroying sensitive media devices to prevent inadvertent disclosure of protected information, directly strengthening data privacy protections per Local Government Code.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

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signed · Texas · Senate Jun 20, 2025

SB 2610: Relating to a limitation on civil liability of business entities in connection with a breach of system security.

SB 2610 creates Chapter 542 in Texas law requiring businesses that handle sensitive personal information to implement reasonable cybersecurity programs. It makes businesses liable to individuals who suffer economic harm after a data breach caused by failure to follow these standards. Businesses meet the "reasonable" standard by adopting recognized frameworks like NIST, ISO 27000, or industry-specific standards (e.g., HIPAA for healthcare). The law applies specifically to breaches involving sensitive personal data and does not affect existing legal remedies available to the Attorney General.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates cybersecurity standards for businesses handling personal data, strengthening data privacy protections through liability for breaches.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Cybersecurity Data Privacy

in committee · Texas · Senate Feb 7, 2025

SB 726: Relating to requiring operators of smart devices to provide information to users about the collection of personal data.

SB 726 requires smart device manufacturers and sellers operating in Texas to provide users with clear, mobile-app-based information about how their personal data is collected and used. It mandates disclosure of seven specific details, including the types of data collected (like usage patterns, biometrics, or audio), the purposes for collection, how data is captured, storage locations (local or remote), and security policies. The bill directly affects companies that make or sell smart home devices, wearables, or connected appliances that collect personal data. Excluded from the requirement are state agencies, local governments, and utility providers. This law aims to increase transparency around data practices for Texas consumers using smart devices.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates transparent data collection disclosures for smart devices, directly protecting user privacy under consumer protection laws.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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in committee · Texas · Senate Feb 28, 2025

SB 1298: Relating to instruction in online safety for minors provided in public schools and by the Department of Public Safety.

SB 1298 requires Texas public school districts (K-12) to include online safety instruction as part of their required curriculum, starting in the 2025-2026 school year. The curriculum must cover specific topics like safe social media use, preventing oversharing of personal information, identifying cyberbullying and online predators, and reporting suspicious activity. Additionally, the Texas Department of Public Safety must develop a public safety education plan that includes online safety instruction for citizens under 18. The bill specifies these exact topics for school curricula and references existing law for further detail.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates online safety curriculum in K-12 schools, strengthening educational requirements for student safety and digital literacy as part of core curriculum.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires online safety curriculum covering cybersecurity awareness, data privacy protection, and digital rights education for minors, directly advancing cybersecurity and digital safety education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education School Safety Data Privacy Online Safety Social Media

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