Title: An act relating to enrollment cards issued by federally recognized Indian tribes.

Brief Description: Authorizing the use of enrollment cards issued by federally recognized Indian tribes.

Sponsors: Senators Hargrove, Esser, Regala and Kline.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Labor, Commerce, Research & Development: 2/10/05, 2/17/05[DPS-WM].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON LABOR, COMMERCE, RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5566 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.Signed by Senators Kohl-Welles, Chair; Franklin, Vice Chair; Parlette, Ranking Minority Member; Brown, Honeyford, Keiser and Prentice.

Staff: Alison Mendiola (786-7483)

Background: Identification is required to register to vote, or purchase alcohol or tobacco.

Through December 31, 2005, to register to vote in Washington, an applicant must provide his or her name, residential address, and signature attesting to the truth of the information provided. Effective January 1, 2006, to register to vote, an applicant must also provide his or her Washington issued driver's license number, identification card number, or the last four digits of his or her social security number.

To purchase alcohol in a state liquor store or agency or to purchase tobacco, a customer may be required to present identification showing his or her age, signature, and photograph. Official documents to provide identity for this purpose include: liquor control authority card of identification of a state or province of Canada, driver's license, instructional permits, or identification card of any state or province of Canada, an "identicard" issued by the Department of Licensing, United States armed forces identification, a passport, or a merchant marine identification card issued by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Enrollment cards issued by federally recognized Indian tribes are proof that a person is an enrolled member of that tribe and meets a minimum degree of that tribe's ancestry. Enrollment cards include the person's picture, name, and birth date, among other things.

Summary of Substitute Bill: An enrollment card issued by the governing authority of a federally recognized Indian tribe located in Washington is an acceptable form of identification to register to vote, or purchase liquor or tobacco in the state of Washington.

If a person does not have a Washington State driver's license or identification card, or social security number, the person's tribal enrollment card issued by the governing authority of a federally recognized tribe in Washington may be used for voter registration purposes.
Enrollment cards issued by the governing authority of a federally recognized Indian tribe located in Washington may be used to purchase liquor or tobacco.

The Liquor Control Board adopts rules requiring security features on all acceptable forms of identification used to verify a person's age for the purposes of purchasing liquor or tobacco.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill: The original bill did not limit tribes to ones located in Washington. The original bill did not require the Liquor Control Board to adopt rules requiring security features on all acceptable forms of identification used to verify a person's age for the purpose of purchasing liquor or tobacco.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Testimony For Original Bill: Some tribal members don't carry driver's licenses but will have a tribal enrollment card. These cards have a member's name, birthday, and picture. You can only be an enrolled member of one tribe so there is no duplication of tribal enrollment cards. Proponents are working on amendments to make the bill stronger. Some amendments include adding the voter registration language to another more appropriate RCW, limiting the acceptance of tribal enrollment cards to the federally recognized tribes within Washington, and adding language addressing fraud that would apply to all forms of identification, not just tribal enrollment cards.

Other: Tribal enrollment cards need to be as secure as other forms of identification, as the purpose of requiring identification to restrict youth access to alcohol and tobacco. Acceptance of tribal enrollment cards should be limited to tribes located within Washington.

Testimony Against Original Bill: None.

Who Testified: PRO: Rick Jensen, Muckleshoot Tribe; Gordon Walgren; Muckleshoot Tribe. OTHER: Rick Garza, Washington State Liquor Control Board.