SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5081

As of February 3, 2003

Title: An act relating to verification that applicants for driver's licenses, permits, and identicards are lawfully within the United States.

Brief Description: Verifying legal United States presence.

Sponsors: Senators Stevens, Roach, Benton, Schmidt, Swecker, Deccio and Esser.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Highways & Transportation: 2/4/03.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HIGHWAYS & TRANSPORTATION

Staff: Kimberly Johnson (786-7346)

Background: Current law does not require that an applicant for a driver's license, driver's instruction permit, agricultural driving permit, or an identicard offer proof that the applicant is legally within the United States.

Summary of Bill: The Department of Licensing may not issue a driver's license, driver's instruction permit, an agricultural driving permit, or an identicard to a person who has not proven that the person is lawfully within the United States.

A driver's license and identicard expire on the fifth anniversary of the applicant's birthdate after issuance, or on the date the applicant's authorization to be within the United States expires, whichever occurs first.

A driver's instruction permit and agricultural driving permit expire on the date the applicant's authorization to be in the United States expires, or one year from the date of issuance, whichever occurs first.

The department is authorized to cancel a driver's license or permit if the department determines that the holder of the license or permit was not entitled to the license or permit, or that the license or permit holder's authorization to be within the United States has expired.

The department may adjust the expiration date of a license, permit or identicard upon receiving proof that the applicant's presence in the United States has been reauthorized or extended.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect on July 1, 2004.