HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

                  HB 1077

Title:  An act relating to identification.

Brief Description:  Specifying the official forms of establishing proof of identity.

Sponsors:  Representatives Sterk, D. Sommers, Boldt and Sheahan.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Staff:  Trudes Hutcheson (786-7384).

Background:  Certain agencies and entities require proof of identification for a variety of purposes.  For example, the Department of Licensing requires proof of identification before issuing a driver=s license or an identicard.  Both the motor vehicles statutes and the Department of Licensing=s rules establish the types of documents the department will recognize as showing proof of identification.  Absent any of those documents, the department may accept other documentation that clearly establishes the applicant=s identity.  If the applicant cannot produce required documentation, the department will issue a license plainly labeled Anot valid for identification purposes.@

A class 1 civil infraction has a maximum penalty and default amount of $250 and is not a criminal offense.

Summary of Bill:  Any person or entity who issues a card, form, or document purporting to identify the holder shall plainly label the card, form, or document Anot official proof of identification@ if it is not one of the eight official forms of identification listed below.

The following are official forms of establishing proof of identity:

(a)a valid or recently expired driver=s license or instruction permit containing the signature, date of birth, and a photograph of the person;

(b)a Washington state identicard or an identification card issued by another state containing the signature and photograph of the person;

(c)an identification card, issued by a state or federal government agency, of a kind commonly used to identify the agency=s employees and containing the signature and photograph of the person;

(d)a military identification card containing the signature and photograph of the person;

(e)a United States passport containing the signature and photograph of the person;

(f)an immigration and naturalization service form containing the signature and photograph of the person;

(g)a merchant marine identification card issued by the United States Coast Guard; and

(h)a liquor control authority card of identification issued by any state or province of Canada.

Failure to comply is a class 1 civil infraction.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

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