HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1953
As Reported by House Committee On:
Transportation
Title: An act relating to improving access to department of licensing issued documents by clarifying the application requirements for a minor, modifying the requirements for at-cost identicards, and studying the feasibility of reduced-fee identicards.
Brief Description: Improving access to department of licensing issued documents by clarifying the application requirements for a minor, modifying the requirements for at-cost identicards, and studying the feasibility of reduced-fee identicards.
Sponsors: Representatives Entenman, Jacobsen, Leavitt, Reed, Ormsby, Callan and Reeves; by request of Department of Licensing.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Transportation: 1/15/24, 1/31/24 [DPS].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill
  • Adds the term "responsible adult" to the types of adults that can sign the application for an intermediate driver's license, or driver's license or motorcycle endorsement for a person under the age of 18.
  • Modifies eligibility criteria for at-cost identicards for applicants receiving public assistance grants.
  • Directs the Department of Licensing to conduct a study on the feasibility of offering reduced-fee identicards.
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.Signed by 17 members:Representatives Fey, Chair; Donaghy, Vice Chair; Paul, Vice Chair; Timmons, Vice Chair; Berry, Bronoske, Chapman, Cortes, Doglio, Duerr, Entenman, Hackney, Mena, Nance, Ramel, Ramos and Wylie.
Minority Report: Do not pass.Signed by 2 members:Representatives Volz and Walsh.
Minority Report: Without recommendation.Signed by 10 members:Representatives Barkis, Ranking Minority Member; Hutchins, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Low, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Robertson, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Dent, Goehner, Griffey, Klicker, Orcutt and Schmidt.
Staff: Michael Hirsch (786-7195).
Background:

Intermediate driver's license.

An intermediate driver's license is a type of driver's license issued to individuals under 18 years of age which authorizes the license holder to drive a motor vehicle subject to certain restrictions until the license holder reaches the age of 18. 


An applicant for an intermediate license must be at least 16 years of age, have possessed a valid instruction permit for at least six months, have passed a driver's licensing exam, have passed an approved driver's education course, and present certification by a parent, guardian, or employer to the Department of Licensing (DOL) stating that the applicant has had at least 50 hours of driving experience, 10 of which were at night.


For a person to obtain a driver's license or motorcycle endorsement while under 18 years of age, the individual must have an application signed by a parent or guardian with custody of the minor.  If the person under 18 does not have a father, mother, or guardian, then the application can be signed by the minor's employer.

 

Identicards.
Identicards are issued by the DOL as an alternate form of identification.  Identicards are not a license to operate a motor vehicle.  The fee for a standard identicard is $72 and expires on the eighth anniversary of the applicant's birth date after issuance.

 

The DOL issues an at-cost identicard, based on the production costs rather than the usual $72 fee for an eight-year identicard, if the applicant is:

  • a recipient of public assistance grants, excluding the Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC), and has a written referral from either the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) or the Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF);
  • under 25 years of age and does not have a permanent residence address; or
  • either scheduled to be released or was recently released from a juvenile state institution or juvenile facility.
Summary of Substitute Bill:

Intermediate driver's license.
A responsible adults is added to the types of persons that can sign the application for an intermediate driver's license.  A responsible adult is defined as a person specifically authorized by the DOL who:

  • is over 21 years of age and has a familial, kinship, or caretaker relationship to a minor;
  • provides support to a minor in a professional capacity; or
  • represents a government entity.

 

The requirements for the adult signature for the application of a person under 18 years of age for a driver's license or a motorcycle endorsement are adjusted by adding the term "responsible adult" to the list of adults who can sign the application and removing the requirement that a parent or guardian with custody of the minor be the adult signatory if available.


Identicards.

The requirement that a recipient of public assistance grants applying for an at-cost identicard receive written referral from either the DSHS or the DCYF is removed and the DOL is given authority to determine the documentation requirements for individuals receiving continuing public assistance grants that are eligible for an at-cost identicard.  Participation in the WIC is added to the definition of individuals receiving continuing public assistance grants eligible for an at-cost identicard.

 

The DOL is directed to study the feasibility of offering reduced fee identicards.  The issues for examination in the study include:

  • assessing the current cost of identicards and its impact on families and customers with limited resources;
  • reviewing other states and how they handle pricing of their identity credentials;
  • evaluating eligibility criteria for at-cost identicards;
  • recommending improvements to accessing identicards for the public; and
  • identifying cost and revenues impacts associated with any changes or expansion in a reduced fee identicard program.
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The substitute bill includes a definition of "responsible adult" in place of language in the original bill that required the DOL to define the term in rule.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill contains multiple effective dates. Please see the bill.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This bill reduces barriers for people trying to get driver's licenses.  People on the road should have the skills to drive.  Allowing a responsible adult to sign the application for a driver's license is needed as youth have different families and living arrangements.  The DOL needs flexibility.  Other states have allowed responsible adults to sign.  The bill creates consistency in the law by allowing people who qualify for the WIC to receive an at-cost identicard.  The study for reduced cost identicards will show how the DOL can remove barriers.

 

(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying:

Representative Debra Entenman, prime sponsor; and Beau Perschbacher, Washington Department of Licensing.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.