SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6589

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

               Transportation, February 5, 1998

Title:  An act relating to exemptions from driver's license requirements for nonresidents.

Brief Description:  Providing exemptions from driver's license requirements for nonresidents.

Sponsors:  Senators Horn, Haugen and Wood; by request of Department of Licensing.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  2/5/98 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6589 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

  Signed by Senators Prince, Chair; Benton, Vice Chair; Wood, Vice Chair; Goings, Haugen, Heavey, Horn, Jacobsen, Morton, Oke, Prentice and Rasmussen.

Staff:  Paul Neal (786-7315)

Background:  A nonresident may drive legally in Washington without obtaining a Washington State driver's license if the driver is at least 16 and has a valid driver's license issued by his or her home state.  A person qualifies as a nonresident if he or she is temporarily in the state for no more than six months.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  Certain nonresidents are authorized to legally drive in Washington regardless of whether their stay in this state exceeds six months.  The nonresident driver's license exemption is granted without a time limitation to nonresidents who have a valid driver's license from their home state and are:

(1)  Students, their spouses, or dependents, if they maintain a legal home of record outside of Washington and carry documentation of their nonresident student status; or

(2)  Members of the armed forces, their spouses, and dependents who designate a different state as their home state.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The amendments approved by the committee clarify the language in the original bill without changing the effect.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  Passage would allow two groups of long-term nonresidents, students and military personnel, to drive in the state without having to procure a Washington license.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Senator Horn, prime sponsor; Clark Holloway, DOL.