HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2343
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
As Reported by House Committee On:
Transportation
Title: An act relating to providing a veteran designation on drivers' licenses and identicards.
Brief Description: Allowing for a veteran designation on drivers' licenses and identicards.
Sponsors: Representatives Muri, Sawyer, Orcutt, Seaquist, Zeiger, Hargrove, Ryu, Reykdal, Morrell, Hayes, Orwall and Magendanz.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Transportation: 1/22/14, 1/29/14, 1/30/14, 2/4/14 [DPS].
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION |
Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 31 members: Representatives Clibborn, Chair; Farrell, Vice Chair; Fey, Vice Chair; Moscoso, Vice Chair; Orcutt, Ranking Minority Member; Hargrove, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Overstreet, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Bergquist, Fitzgibbon, Freeman, Habib, Hawkins, Hayes, Johnson, Klippert, Kochmar, Moeller, Morris, Muri, Ortiz-Self, Pike, Riccelli, Rodne, Ryu, Sells, Shea, Takko, Tarleton, Walkinshaw, Young and Zeiger.
Staff: Andrew Russell (786-7143).
Background:
The Department of Licensing (DOL) issues driver's licenses and identicards to residents of Washington. To obtain a license or identicard, a person must apply to the DOL and pay the required fee. Thereafter, the DOL may issue a license or identicard which provides certain information about the holder, such as his or her physical description, anatomical gift statement, Washington residence address, and signature.
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Summary of Substitute Bill:
A person may elect to indicate his or her status as a veteran of the United States military on his or her driver's license or identicard. To do so, the applicant must provide his or her United States Department of Defense discharge document that shows a discharge status as "honorable" or "general under honorable conditions."
Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:
The substitute bill delays the effective date of the bill from July 1, 2016, to August 30, 2017.
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Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect August 30, 2017.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This is a helpful addition for those veterans who do not have a military identification card. It would allow veterans to show that they are eligible for certain discounts or programs.
This bill allows for businesses and other entities to recognize and honor veterans. It also helps first responders identify veterans and approach them in an appropriate way.
This designation will be very beneficial to all military veterans, regardless of the branch they served in. It will help law enforcement officials approaching veterans and ensure they are taken to a military hospital for treatment. This is a very important thing for veterans.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative Muri, prime sponsor; Alfie Alvarado, Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs; and Tommy Darnell, Veterans of Foreign Wars 2329.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.