HB 2420 - DIGEST

     Finds that Washington state's statutes governing the issuance of driver's licenses are subject to fraud by individuals who seek to obtain a driver's license or identity card using a false identity.  In order to prevent criminals and terrorists from obtaining Washington driver's license using a false identity, the legislature has determined that, in addition to the current proof of identity required by statute, applicants for a Washington driver's license should demonstrate that the applicant's presence in the United States is authorized under federal law, either by demonstrating United States citizenship or by showing legal immigration status.

     Finds that the department should be explicitly authorized to verify Social Security numbers of applicants for a Washington state driver's license, and that current Washington statutes could be interpreted as forbidding the department from verifying Social Security numbers with the federal government.