California - Verifiable Credentials

HI CCG,

 I wanted to share more good news for California related to Verifiable
Credentials in a report from the Governor called Towards Responsible
Innovation
<https://business.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/TowardsResponsibleInnovation_221202.pdf>
.

 Page 1
 • Government Services and Verifiable Credentials
Page 23
DMV Verifiable Credentials
The DMV is also exploring improvements to state-issued credentials.
Potential use cases include taking existing forms, placards, licenses, or
other physical products issued by the DMV, and enhancing and/or reinventing
them by adding blockchain-based forms of fraud prevention. Digital
signatures and other verification procedures could be used to ensure that
issuing and tracking these types of products is safer and more efficient.
In late 2022 and early 2023, the DMV anticipates proving the utility of
these use cases by piloting new disabled placards, new credentials for
tracking driver safety courses, and driver’s licenses.
page 27
Explore and develop more government use cases.
The public sector may be able to utilize blockchain technology to increase
efficiencies, improve access to services, and reduce costs. • GovOps will
continue working with state agencies and other levels of government to
identify and promote blockchain pilot programs, similar to those now
underway at the DMV.



*State of California Releases Interagency Web3, Crypto Asset and Blockchain
Progress Report *



In May 2022, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-9-22
<https://business.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3da1cf062778afecadd465143&id=05490a31b3&e=8953aa4fe7>
to
ensure California engages early and proactively with this nascent industry
with the goal of ensuring continued consumer protections, innovation, job
growth, advancing equity and regulatory clarity, among other strategic
outcomes.

This interagency blockchain progress report
<https://business.us18.list-manage.com/track/click?u=3da1cf062778afecadd465143&id=c4150ebdd3&e=8953aa4fe7>
-
authored by the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development, the
Business Consumer Services and Housing Agency, the Department of Financial
Protection and Innovation and the Government Operations Agency - reflects
the administration's work to implement the executive order over the last
seven months, beginning with stakeholder meetings that took place over the
summer.

Additional administration activities included the advancement of public use
cases, and progress towards regulatory clarity. This foundation of work has
positioned California to accomplish the goals set forth in the Executive
Order and to realize the opportunities blockchain technologies provide to
our residents.