Bill Description: House Bill 78 would require the state to create digital driver's licenses and ID cards.

Rating: -2

Does it create, expand, or enlarge any agency, board, program, function, or activity of government? Conversely, does it eliminate or curtail the size or scope of government?

House Bill 78 would create sections 49-315A and 49-2444A, Idaho Code, and modify several other sections to require the Idaho transportation department (ITD) to "establish and maintain a process and system for an individual to obtain an electronic driver's license" or an "electronic identification card."

These electronic cards would be in addition to physical cards. The bill would amend Section 49-316, Idaho Code, which requires a driver to possess a driver's license when driving, to specify that a driver must still have a "physical driver's license in his immediate possession" in addition to any electronic driver’s license that person may have.

Given this requirement, it is unclear what benefit these electronic driver's licenses and identification cards would confer. There are also privacy concerns to consider when government expands its role in managing our data. 

(-1)

Does it increase government spending (for objectionable purposes) or debt? Conversely, does it decrease government spending or debt?

The fiscal note for House Bill 78 estimates a cost of $152,000 for "programming and development to build connections with various vendor mobile ID solutions." It also suggests that Idahoans may have to pay a fee estimated at "less than $10 annually" to obtain an electronic driver's license or identification card.

(-1)