HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2001-4649, by Representatives Kessler and Lambert

     WHEREAS, A provision in federal law requires states to gather social security numbers from applicants seeking or renewing a driver's license; and

     WHEREAS, Michigan Secretary of State, Candice Miller, believes this provision wrongfully forces the states to collect social security numbers from millions of American citizens and has sued the federal government in the United States District Court to keep this provision from being implemented in Michigan; and

     WHEREAS, Michigan Secretary of State, Candice Miller, notes that Michigan's request to be exempt from this provision was rejected twice, that Michigan faces the potential loss of about one billion dollars of federal money each year for failing to comply with this provision, and that if Michigan loses in court it will comply to avoid the financial loss; and

     WHEREAS, Michigan Secretary of State, Candice Miller, believes that Michigan's exemption request should be granted on the basis that the law violates the federal and state constitutional guarantees against invasion of privacy and represents an unfunded federal mandate by requiring Michigan to administer a federal regulatory program; and

     WHEREAS, Michigan Secretary of State, Candice Miller, believes that creating another data base with social security numbers could add to the growing crime of identity theft and that the role of government should be to protect personal privacy; and

     WHEREAS, It is important that other states, although currently complying with this provision, show their support for the principles upon which Michigan's objections are based and for Michigan taking a stand against the federal government imposing unnecessary regulations on the states;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize and express its appreciation to Michigan Secretary of State, Candice Miller, for her attempts to guarantee the constitutional rights of privacy of Michigan's citizens and to oppose unfunded federal mandates 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, the Honorable Tommy Thompson, Secretary of Health and Human Services, 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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