SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 1303

As of March 26, 2001

Title:  An act relating to special identification cards for persons issued disabled parking permits.

Brief Description:  Removing the photo requirement for special identification cards for persons issued disabled parking permits.

Sponsors:  By Representatives Fisher, Mitchell, Mielke and Rockefeller; by request of Department of Licensing.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Transportation:  3/26/01.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Staff:  Dean Carlson (786‑7305)

Background:  In 1998 the Legislature passed 2SSB 6190 which made significant changes to the state=s disabled parking law.  One of those changes required the Department of Licensing (DOL) to issue a photo identification card to all of its disabled parking permit holders to aid law enforcement in determining if a parking placard in question was being used by the person it was issued to.  The department implemented this requirement by having all permit holders come into DOL licensing service offices around the state to obtain their new photo ID cards.  In doing so, it was discovered that there were various access and accommodation issues along with a noticeable increase in wait times due to the large number of permit holders needing the new ID card.

In response to this outcome, SSB 6009 was passed which temporarily removed the photo identification card requirement to allow for an 18-month study to determine a more appropriate and effective way of implementing a photo identification card program, with a report due back to the Legislature by December 31, 2000.  In the interim, the department was required to issue a special non-photo identification card to all permit holders, which continues to be in effect today.

The department=s report back to the Legislature provided three viable photo identification card implementation options with costs ranging from $1.7 - $6.9 million per biennium.  In contrast, to continue issuing the current non-photo identification card would cost the department $159,000 for the 2001-03 biennium.  The report also indicated that law enforcement was experiencing relative enforcement success even though they did not have a photo available to them.  Therefore, it was recommended that the department continue its current practice of issuing non-photo identification cards to its permit holders.

Summary of Bill:  The requirement for DOL to issue a photo identification card to its disabled parking permit holders by July 1, 2001 is removed.  By removing this language, the current language is left in effect which requires the department to issue a non-photo identification card to its permit holders.

Outdated language is stricken which required the department to work in conjunction with the Governor=s Committee on Disability Issues and Employment to assess options for issuing a photo identification card to permit holders and report the findings to the Legislature by December 31, 2000.  This report was delivered to the House and Senate Transportation Committees in December 2000.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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