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SB1598

Regular Session

Relating to the release of motor vehicle collision report information.

Low
Low Cost
Effective:2025-09-01
SB1598
Low
Relating to the release of motor vehicle collision report information.
Low Compliance Urgency
Requires routine attention
Cost Impact
Low
Effective
2025-09-01
Enforcing Agencies
Local Law Enforcement AgenciesTexas Department of Transportation
Primary Author: Sen. Brent Hagenbuch
89th Texas Legislature
jdkey.com
01

Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

  • Effective Date: September 1, 2025
  • Compliance Deadline: September 1, 2025 (All contracts must be amended and executed by this date to prevent service disruption).
  • Agency Rulemaking: While TxDOT is not explicitly mandated to create new rules, they must interpret "specific collision information." Expect a regulatory gray zone in Q4 2025 regarding how local records clerks verify the existence of these contracts.

Immediate Action Plan

  • 1. Audit Active Contracts: Identify all Texas LEA agreements relying on "agency" language rather than specific data-access authorization.
  • 2. Draft Uniform Amendment: Create a single-page contract addendum citing SB1598 and explicitly granting authority to obtain collision/VIN data.
  • 3. Deploy to Clients: Send amendments to LEA partners immediately; municipal signature cycles are slow, and you need these signed before September 1.
  • 4. Update Data Ingestion: Configure your systems to ingest unredacted VINs, as this is now explicitly permitted for contracted vendors.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

CRITICAL ACTION: You must audit every Master Service Agreement (MSA) held with a Texas Law Enforcement Agency.

  • The Change: The statute strikes the term "agent" and replaces it with "a person... authorized by contract."
  • The Fix: Execute an amendment for all clients. The contract must explicitly state the vendor is *"authorized to obtain collision report information on behalf of the agency."* Reliance on general "agency" clauses is no longer legally sufficient.

Hiring/Training

  • Records Staff: Train staff to recognize the new permissible use category: "criminal investigation."
  • Software Developers: If you provide Records Management Systems (RMS) to police, update permission settings to allow data release for criminal investigations, not just collision prevention.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

  • Proof of Authorization: Create a standardized "Letter of Representation" or a redacted contract cover sheet. Your field teams or digital systems must be ready to present this proof to records clerks who challenge your authority to access VINs or crash data under the new law.

Fees & Costs

  • Legal Spend: Budget immediately for outside counsel or in-house time to draft and execute contract amendments across your Texas client base.
  • Statutory Fees: No changes to the statutory fees for crash reports.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

1. Definition of "Specific Collision Information"

The law allows the release of VINs and "specific collision information" to contractors. It does not define the scope of "specific."

  • *Risk:* Some jurisdictions may release full narratives and diagrams; others may restrict release to basic metadata.
  • *Watch For:* TxDOT guidance memorandums defining the data dictionary available to contractors.

2. Verification Protocols

The law requires a contract but does not establish a central registry or verification method.

  • *Risk:* Local records clerks may arbitrarily deny requests if they cannot immediately verify your vendor status.
  • *Watch For:* Local agencies establishing their own "vendor registration" lists to bridge this gap.

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Information presented is for general knowledge only and is provided without warranty, express or implied. Consult qualified government affairs professionals and legal counsel before making compliance decisions.

02

Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

Filed
Feb 24, 2025
Passed Senate
Apr 10, 2025
Passed House
May 23, 2025
Signed
Jun 20, 2025
TopicsLaw EnforcementVehicles & TrafficVehicles & Traffic--rules of RoadAccidents
03

Senate Authors

Sen. Brent HagenbuchRepublican · Primary Author

House Sponsor

Rep. Pat CurryRepublican · Primary Sponsor

Bill Text(with markup)

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

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Quick Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about SB1598

Q

What does Texas SB1598 do?

SB1598 fundamentally alters the legal basis for third-party access to collision data, shifting the requirement from "implied agency" to "explicit contractual authorization. " GovTech vendors, data aggregators, and insurance support services must amend all agreements with law enforcement agencies (LEAs) to strictly comply with this new statutory definition by September 1, 2025, or risk immediate denial of data access. Implementation Timeline Effective Date: September 1, 2025 Compliance Deadline: September 1, 2025 (All contracts must be amended and executed by this date to prevent service disruption).

Q

Who authored SB1598?

SB1598 was authored by Texas Senator Brent Hagenbuch during the Regular Session.

Q

When was SB1598 signed into law?

SB1598 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 20, 2025.

Q

Which agencies enforce SB1598?

SB1598 is enforced by Local Law Enforcement Agencies and Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).

Q

How urgent is compliance with SB1598?

The compliance urgency for SB1598 is rated as "low". Businesses and organizations should review the requirements and timeline to ensure timely compliance.

Q

What is the cost impact of SB1598?

The cost impact of SB1598 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

Q

What topics does SB1598 address?

SB1598 addresses topics including law enforcement, vehicles & traffic, vehicles & traffic--rules of road and accidents.

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: November 25, 2025

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