HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2834
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Reported by House Committee On:
Appropriations
Title: An act relating to implementing an identicard program to provide individuals a Washington state issued identicard.
Brief Description: Implementing an identicard program to provide individuals a Washington state issued identicard.
Sponsors: Representatives Harris, Santos, Cody, Senn, Steele, Tarleton, Valdez, Davis and Pollet.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Appropriations: 2/3/20, 2/11/20 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 30 members: Representatives Ormsby, Chair; Robinson, 1st Vice Chair; Bergquist, 2nd Vice Chair; Stokesbary, Ranking Minority Member; Rude, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Caldier, Chandler, Chopp, Cody, Corry, Dolan, Dye, Fitzgibbon, Hansen, Hoff, Hudgins, Kilduff, Macri, Mosbrucker, Pettigrew, Pollet, Ryu, Schmick, Senn, Springer, Steele, Sullivan, Tarleton, Tharinger and Ybarra.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 1 member: Representative Kraft.
Minority Report: Without recommendation. Signed by 1 member: Representative Sutherland.
Staff: Jessica Van Horne (786-7288).
Background:
State-Issued Identicards.
The Department of Licensing (DOL) issues several forms of identification to state residents, including driver's licenses and identicards. To receive an identicard from the DOL, applicants must not have a valid Washington driver's license, prove their identity by providing certain types of documentation that include a photograph and their signature, and pay a fee.
The fee for identicards is $54, unless the applicant is: a recipient of public assistant grants referred by the Department of Social and Health Services; under the age of 18 and without a permanent residence address; an individual scheduled to be released from a juvenile rehabilitation institution or facility; or an individual who has been released from a juvenile rehabilitation institution or facility within 30 days before the date of the application. For those applicants, the identicard fee is the actual cost of producing the identicard.
Identicards are valid until the sixth anniversary of the applicant's birthdate after the card is issued, unless the identicard is issued, renewed, or extended for a period other than six years.
State Homeless Housing Program.
The Department of Commerce (Commerce) administers the state's homeless housing program, through which it provides a range of services for homeless persons. "Homeless person" means an individual living outside or in a building not meant for human habitation or which they have no legal right to occupy, in an emergency shelter, or in a temporary housing program, which may include a transitional and supportive housing program if habitation time limits exist.
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Summary of Bill:
A program to provide state-issued identicards to homeless individuals is established in Commerce, subject to availability of amounts appropriated for that purpose. The DOL must assist Commerce in implementing the identicard program. An individual is eligible to receive a no-cost original or renewal identicard on a one-time basis through the program if they:
meet the definition of a homeless person on a sheltered or unsheltered basis;
meet the DOL's criteria for issuing an identicard;
are expected to reside within the state; and
do not have a current and valid state-issued identicard or driver's license.
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Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect on January 1, 2021.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) Providing identicards is important and necessary to those who are homeless and to the providers who offer services. Homeless individuals may need identicards to take showers or access other types of services, and lacking an identicard makes accessing those services very difficult. While the program has up-front costs, providing identicards will provide a great benefit to homeless persons.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Harris, prime sponsor.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.