Brief Description: Implementing a biometric matching system for driver's licenses and identicards.

Sponsors: Senators Brandland, Haugen and Rasmussen.

Hearing Date: 2/27/06

Staff: David Munnecke (786-7315).

Background:

The Department of Licensing (DOL) is required to implement a highly accurate one-to-one biometric matching system by January 1, 2006. When the biometric driver's license and identicard system is established, the DOL must allow every person applying for an original, renewal, or duplicate driver's license or identicard the option of submitting a biometric identifier. The fee for applying a biometric identifier to a driver's license or identicard is $2.

The DOL may not disclose biometric information to the public or any governmental entity except when authorized by court order.

In May of 2005, Congress passed legislation known as the Real ID Act. The Real ID Act sets new standards for state issued driver's licenses and identicards. States must meet the new standards by May 11, 2008. Driver's licenses and identicards issued by states that fail to meet the deadline will no longer be accepted for federal purposes, such as boarding an aircraft or entering a federal building.

Summary of Bill:

The implementation date for the DOL biometric matching system is delayed until two years after Washington implements the provisions of the federal Real ID Act.

The requirement that the DOL select a system that allows for the owner of a driver's license to present a pin number or other code, prior to the information being verified by a third party, is removed.

The requirement that DOL destroy the biometric information collected from a person once the person no longer wishes to participate in the voluntary biometric system is removed.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.