HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2001-4641, by Representatives Lambert, Kessler, Buck, Lantz, G. Chandler, Romero, Cox, Ruderman, Sump, DeBolt, D. Schmidt, Mielke, Benson, Ahern, Pearson, Armstrong, Ericksen, Miloscia and Lovick

     WHEREAS, A provision in federal law that took effect October 1, 2000, requires states to gather Social Security Numbers from applicants seeking or renewing drivers' licenses as part of the 1997 welfare reform act, designed to help recover overdue child support from obligated parents; and

     WHEREAS, Michigan Secretary of State, Candice Miller, has sued the federal government in the United States District Court in Grand Rapids to block this law that will force Michigan to collect Social Security Numbers from nearly seven million motorists, and which she calls an uncalled for invasion of privacy; and

     WHEREAS, Michigan Secretary of State, Candice Miller, notes that Michigan is the only state not complying, that their exemption request was rejected twice, that Michigan faces the potential loss of about one billion dollars from the United States Department of Health and Human Services annually for refusing to comply with the law though no federal grants would be withheld while the case is pending, and that if Michigan loses in court it will comply to avoid the financial loss; and

     WHEREAS, Michigan Secretary of State, Candice Miller, says that Michigan's suit argues the exemption should be granted because the law violates the United States and state constitutional guarantees against invasion of privacy; represents an unfunded federal mandate; and violates the 10th Amendment by requiring a state to administer a federal regulatory program; and

     WHEREAS, Michigan Secretary of State, Candice Miller, says she believes that creating another data base with Social Security Numbers could add to the growing crime of identity theft; and

     WHEREAS, Michigan Secretary of State, Candice Miller, believes very strongly that the role of government should be to protect personal privacy; and

     WHEREAS, It is important that other states that currently comply with the federal law requiring states to gather Social Security Numbers from applicants seeking or renewing drivers' licenses show their support for the principles upon which Michigan's objections are based, and show their support for Michigan for taking a stand against the federal government imposing unnecessary and overreaching regulations on the states;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives express its support for Michigan Secretary of State, Candice Miller, in her attempts to guarantee the constitutional rights of privacy of Michigan's citizens, oppose unfunded federal mandates, and protect federalism by challenging the Social Security Number collection requirements imposed by the federal government; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Co-Chief Clerks of the House of Representatives to the Honorable George W. Bush, President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, each member of Congress from the state of Washington, the Honorable John Engler, Governor of the state of Michigan, and the Honorable Candice Miller, Secretary of State of the state of Michigan.

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