Senator Hagenboo laid out Senate Bill 15 98 as a measure to clarify how collision reports may be used and shared for law-enforcement investigatory purposes. "SB 15 98 relates to the release of a motor vehicle collision report information to law enforcement to help solve crimes," the senator said.

The bill would (1) explicitly state that collision reports may be used for law-enforcement investigations, (2) clarify that collision-report information can be released to a person acting on behalf of a law-enforcement agency (to address confusion over the term "agent"), and (3) clarify that non-confidential vehicle identification number (VIN) information may be released to records-management partners for the same purposes.

Supporters included Brian Hawthorne, representing the Sheriffs' Association of Texas, who praised a CARFAX for Police program as a free investigative tool for agencies: "CARFAX for police has the ability for us to start using some different data...and allows us to move forward and solve crimes. The one thing I will tell you that you don't hear me say often up here is...it is free." Chris Veil of CARFAX testified in support and said the substitute resolves three areas of ambiguity in current statute and would help agencies participate in CARFAX for Police.

The committee recorded no questions that changed policy direction and closed public testimony before leaving the bill pending. The committee later reported SB 15 98 favorably to the full Senate and recommended it be placed on the local and uncontested calendar.