HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 5775

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 Passed House - Amended:

March 6, 2014

Title: An act relating to allowing for a veteran designation on drivers' licenses and identicards.

Brief Description: Allowing for a veteran designation on drivers' licenses and identicards.

Sponsors: Senators Benton, Hobbs, Brown, Ericksen, Conway and Rivers.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Transportation: 3/20/13, 3/28/13 [DPA], 2/19/14, 2/25/14 [DPA].

Floor Activity:

Passed House - Amended: 3/6/14, 96-0.

Brief Summary of Bill

(As Amended by House)

Allows a person to indicate his or her status as a veteran of the United States military on his or her driver's license or identicard.

Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 30 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, Morris, Muri, Ortiz-Self, Pike, Riccelli, Rodne, Ryu, Sells, Shea, Takko, Tarleton, Walkinshaw, Young and Zeiger.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 1 member: Representative Moeller.

Background:

It is a generally a misdemeanor for a person to operate a motor vehicle on the highways of Washington without a driver's license. To obtain a driver's license, a Washington resident must apply to the Department of Licensing (DOL) and pay the required fee. Thereafter, the DOL may issue a license which provides certain information about the license holder, such as his or her physical description, anatomical gift statement, Washington residence address, and signature.

Summary of 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."

Effective Date of Amended Bill: The bill takes effect August 30, 2017.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) None.

(Opposed) None.