SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SHB 1077

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

                Law & Justice, January 21, 1998

Title:  An act relating to identification.

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

Sponsors:  House Committee on Law & Justice (originally sponsored by Representatives Sterk, D. Sommers, Boldt and Sheahan).

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Law & Justice:  3/27/97; 1/16/98 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LAW & JUSTICE

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Roach, Chair; Johnson, Vice Chair; Fairley, Goings, Kline, Long, McCaslin, Stevens and Zarelli.

Staff:  Harry S. Steinmetz (786-7421)

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, other than those exempt, who issues an identification card that purports to identify the holder as a resident of this or any other state and that contains a name, photograph, and date of birth, must label the card Anot official proof of identification@ in flourescent yellow ink, on the face of the card, and in not less than 14 point font.  The background color of the card must be a color other than that used for Washington State driver=s licenses and identicards.  Certain persons and entities are exempt from this requirement.  Failure to comply is a class 1 civil infraction.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

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

Testimony For:  There are businesses making look-a-like ID cards.  This bill requires any card that purports to identify the holder be marked in flourescent yellow ink "not official proof of identification" on the front of the card.  The background color of the card must be different form a Washington State driver's license and identicard.  There is a list of exemptions for legitimate businesses who issue ID cards and for the Department of Licensing.  A civil infraction of $250 is the penalty for a violation.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Representative Mark Sterk.