FINAL BILL REPORT

                 ESHB 2150

                        PARTIAL VETO

                         C 287 L 96

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Authorizing investigation of documents submitted with a driver's license application.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives K. Schmidt, Skinner, R. Fisher, Sterk, Romero, Conway, Smith, Lambert, D. Schmidt, Mitchell, Robertson, Backlund, Ballasiotes, Kremen, Pennington, Hymes, Crouse, Delvin, Buck, Chappell, Ogden, Brown, Scott, Blanton, Lisk, Mulliken, Sheldon, Grant, Chandler, Radcliff, Honeyford, Koster, Huff, L. Thomas, Quall, Johnson, Hickel, Thompson, Cooke, Patterson, Costa and McMahan).

House Committee on Transportation

Senate Committee on Transportation

Background:  In order to obtain a Washington driver's license or identification (ID) card, an applicant must be able to prove his or her identity to the Department of Licensing (DOL).  Banks, businesses and law enforcement agencies rely upon the license or ID card in transacting business with the cardholder.

In 1993 the Legislature established procedures for screening and determining the authenticity of documents submitted by driver's license applicants.  DOL field offices now rely upon a list of acceptable documents, called "primary identification documents," in determining the identity of an applicant.  When primary documents are not available, the department will consider secondary identification documents to establish identity.

The Department of Licensing convened a Document Advisory Committee to enhance procedures for determining the authenticity and reliability of identification documents.  The advisory committee has recommended increased scrutiny for secondary identification documents.

Summary:  An application for a driver's license or ID card must contain a statement of implied consent, notifying the applicant that information contained in his or her application (and any supporting documents) can be made available to law enforcement agencies and governments.

Photocopies of identifying documents will be accepted only if certified by the issuing authority.  Faxed documents will be accepted only if transmitted to DOL directly from the issuing authority. 

DOL may retain original documents for a period of time necessary to investigate their validity, unless the document is of foreign origin or issued by the Immigration and Naturalization Service, in which case only photocopies may be retained.  DOL may issue a temporary license during the investigatory period.

Any applicant making a false statement is guilty of false swearing, a gross misdemeanor.

The Legislative Transportation Committee is authorized to conduct a feasibility study for phase three of the driver's license security effort.

Original green cards may not be retained by DOL.

Partial Veto Summary:  Provisions allowing DOL to retain documents submitted in support of an application for a driver's license or identification card were vetoed.  Provisions authorizing DOL to make driver's license documents available to law enforcement agencies were also vetoed.

Votes on Final Passage:

House     85 10

Senate    43 6 (Senate amended)

House     95 0 (House concurred)

Effective:  June 6, 1996