HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  HB 1444

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                       Transportation

Title:  An act relating to identification requirements for driver's licenses and identicards.

Brief Description:  Requiring identification for driver's licenses and identicards.

Sponsors:  Representatives Schmidt, Sheldon, Anderson, R. Fisher, Ballasiotes, Horn, Brough, Sheahan, Long, Campbell, Brumsickle, Ballard, Wood, Miller and Forner.

Brief History:

  Reported by House Committee on:

Transportation, February 10, 1993, DP.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 23 members:  Representatives R. Fisher, Chair; Brown, Vice Chair; Mielke, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Brough; Brumsickle; Eide; Finkbeiner; Forner; Fuhrman; Hansen; Heavey; Horn; Johanson; J. Kohl; R. Meyers; Miller; H. Myers; Orr; Patterson; Quall; Shin; Wood; and Zellinsky.

Staff:  Brad Lovaas (786-7307).

Background:  The Department of Licensing (DOL) Driver Services Division issues driver's licenses and identicards through its driver examining program.  The 62 driver licensing offices statewide issue over 1,400,000 photo driver's licenses, identicards and instruction permits annually.  Currently there are over 4,000,000 valid photo driver's licenses, identicards and instruction permits.  A driver's license must be renewed every four years and identicards every five years.

Currently DOL accepts an unlimited number of types of identification in order to secure a driver's license or identicard.

Summary of Bill:  This legislation would put in statute seven specific types of identification that would be acceptable in order to be issued a driver's license or identicard.  All seven types of identification must contain a signature and a photograph.  They include:

1) A valid or recently expired driver's license or instruction permit;

2) A valid Washington State identicard or an identification card issued by another state;

3) An identification card issued by a federal or state agency;

4) A military identification card;

5) A United States passport;

6) A non-resident alien registration; and

7) An immigration and naturalization service form.

A person who cannot supply any of the forms of identification listed above may request the Department of Licensing (DOL) to review other documentation.  DOL may issue a driver's license or identicard if the documentation presented clearly establishes the identity of the applicant.

A procedure is established for identifying a minor who cannot provide any of the forms of identification listed above.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  This will provide for more accurate identification.  The use of illegally obtained driver's licenses in writing bad checks, the illegal use of credit cards, and the use of illegal driver's licenses as identification in underage drinking will be curbed.

Testimony Against:  None.

Witnesses:  Alan Oates, Department of Licensing; Trevor Sandison, Washington Bankers Association; Jan Gee, Washington Retail Association and Loss Prevention Officers; and Bill Fritz, Anheuser-Busch Company.