SENATE BILL REPORT
ESSB 5815
As Passed Senate, February 12, 2022
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: Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Cleveland, Salda?a, Hasegawa, Keiser, Kuderer, Liias, Lovelett, Lovick, Nobles, Trudeau and Wilson, C.).
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Transportation: 1/27/22, 2/07/22 [DPS, w/oRec].
Floor Activity: Passed Senate: 2/12/22, 49-0.
Brief Summary of Engrossed First Substitute Bill
  • Creates a Homeless Identicard Program to provide certain homeless individuals a taxpayer funded original or renewal identicard on a one-time basis.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5815 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators Liias, Chair; Saldaña, Vice Chair; King, Ranking Member; Cleveland, Das, Fortunato, Hawkins, Holy, Lovelett, Lovick, Nguyen, Nobles, Randall, Sheldon, Wilson, C. and Wilson, J.
Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.
Signed by Senator Padden.
Staff: Bryon Moore (786-7726)
SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Staff: Bryon Moore (786-7726)
Background:

The Washington State Department of Licensing (DOL) issues driver licenses, endorsements, and identicards that are valid for up to six years.  An identicard is a Washington identification card issued by DOL.

 

DOL must issue an identicard, containing a picture, to any applicant, provided the applicant:      

  • does not hold a valid Washington driver's license;         
  • proves the applicant's identity; and
  • pays the required statutory fee.

 

An identicard is distinctly designed so it is not confused with an official driver license, and it generally expires on the eighth anniversary of the applicant's birth date after issuance.  An applicant may renew an identicard by personally appearing at a DOL office, by mail, or by electronic commerce.

 

An at-cost identicard, based on the production costs rather than the usual $72 fee for an eight year identicard, can be provided if the applicant is:

  • under the age of twenty-five and does not have a permanent residence address;
  • receiving public assistance; or
  • being discharged from certain state and local facilities.
Summary of Engrossed First Substitute Bill:

Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the Department of Commerce, working in conjunction with DOL, must create and implement an identicard program to provide homeless individuals within Washington State a state-issued identicard.  Under the program, a homeless individual is eligible for a one-time, taxpayer funded original or renewal identicard.

 

To be eligible for the taxpayer funded identicard, the individual must:

  • show proof of identity;            
  • meet the definition of a sheltered or unsheltered homeless person;            
  • be expected to reside in Washington State; and            
  • not have a current and valid state-issued identicard or driver's license.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect on January 1, 2023.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

PRO:  By allowing homeless individuals to obtain an identification card, this bill is intended to remove barriers for homeless individuals and gain access to employment, education, housing, medical treatment, and other essential services.  This bill represents collaborative work of many.  Other states have implemented no cost identicard programs with much success. Without an identicard, it is easy for a homeless person to feel invisible. This is anticipated to help over 15,000 people per year. This bill will help with identity verification so homeless individuals can access essential financial services as well as other important programs.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Annette Cleveland, Prime Sponsor; Laura Ellsworth, Council for the Homeless; Ronald Rasmussen, Hand Up Project; Anne McEnerny-Ogle, Mayor of Vancouver; Joe Adamack, Northwest Credit Union Association.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.