SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5617
As Passed Senate, March 17, 1999
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, Goings, Finkbeiner, Oke and Costa.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Transportation: 2/9/99, 2/17/99 [DP].
Passed Senate, 3/17/99, 46-0.
SENATE COMMITTEE ON
TRANSPORTATION
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Haugen, Chair; Gardner, Vice Chair; Goings, Vice Chair; Benton, Costa, Eide, Horn, Morton, Oke, Patterson, Prentice, Sellar, Sheahan, T. Sheldon and Shin.
Staff: Kelly Simpson (786-7305)
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 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) members of the armed forces, their spouses, and dependents who designate a different state as their home state; or
(2) students, their spouses, or dependents, if they maintain a legal home of record outside of Washington and carry documentation of their nonresident student status.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 4, 1999.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: This bill codifies current administrative practice and helps certain nonresidents by not penalizing them when they come to Washington State.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: PRO: Senator Horn, prime sponsor; Judith Giniger, Dept. of Licensing.