HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 2644

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 requirements for the issuance of a driver's license that includes a veteran designation.

Brief Description: Concerning requirements for the issuance of a driver's license that includes a veteran designation.

Sponsors: Representatives Muri, Eslick and McDonald.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Transportation: 1/31/18, 2/6/18 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

Expands the list of acceptable forms a driver's license (DL) or identicard (ID) applicant may submit to obtain a veteran's designation.
Clarifies the eligibility criteria for a DL or ID veteran's designation by referencing a specific definition of "veteran."
Permits the Department of Licensing to supplement the list of documents accepted to establish eligibility for a DL or ID veteran's designation by administrative rule.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 25 members: Representatives Clibborn, Chair; Fey, Vice Chair; Wylie, Vice Chair; Orcutt, Ranking Minority Member; Hargrove, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Harmsworth, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Chapman, Gregerson, Hayes, Irwin, Kloba, Lovick, McBride, Morris, Ortiz-Self, Pellicciotti, Pike, Riccelli, Rodne, Shea, Stambaugh, Tarleton, Valdez, Van Werven and Young.

Staff: Jennifer Harris (786-7143).

Background:

A person may obtain a veteran's designation on his or her driver's license from the Department of Licensing (DOL) by providing a Department of Defense discharge document, a DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), that shows a discharge status of "honorable" or "general under honorable conditions" and that establishes the person's service in the Armed Forces of the United States.

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Summary of Bill:

To be eligible to apply for a veteran's designation, an applicant must have been discharged under "honorable" or "general under honorable conditions," and must have served in at least one of the following capacities:

as a member in any branch of the Armed Forces of the United States, including the National Guard and Armed Forces Reserves, if he or she has fulfilled his or her initial military service obligation as a member of the Women's Air Forces Service Pilots;
as a member of the Armed Forces Reserves, National Guard, or Coast Guard, if he or she has been called into federal service by a Presidential Selected Reserve Call-Up for at least 180 cumulative days;
as a civil service crewmember with service aboard a United States Army transport service or United States naval transport service vessel in oceangoing service from December 7, 1941, through December 31, 1946;
as a member of the Philippine Armed Forces/Scouts during the period of armed conflict from December 7, 1941, through August 15, 1945; or
as a United States documented Merchant Mariner with service aboard an oceangoing vessel operated by the Department of Defense, or its agents, from June 25, 1950, through July 27, 1953, in Korean territorial waters; and from August 5, 1964, through May 7, 1975, in Vietnam territorial waters; and who received a military commendation.

In addition to the option of providing a DD Form 214, a person may also obtain a veteran's designation on his or her driver's license from the Department of Licensing (DOL) by providing one of the following:

a United States Department of Veterans Affairs veterans identification card (VIC) or proof of service letter;
a DD Form 215 (correction to DD Form 214) or equivalent or successor discharge paperwork;
an NGB Form 22 (Report of Separation and Military Service for the Army and Air National Guard) or equivalent or successor discharge paperwork; or
a United States Uniformed Services identification card (DD Form 2) that displays on its face that it has been issued to a retired member of any of the United States Armed Forces, including the National Guard and Armed Forces Reserves.

The DOL may augment the list of documents that may be accepted to obtain a veteran's designation by administrative rule, provided the document accepted establishes the applicant's service as required by law and a discharge status of "honorable" or "general under honorable conditions."

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Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) This bill updates the acceptable forms of identification that may be presented to the DOL to establish eligibility for a veteran's designation on a driver's license. Right now, the DOL only accepts the DD 214 Form. A Veterans Administration (VA) Card is not accepted by the DOL, even though a DD 214 Form must be presented to obtain a VA card. This bill would simplify the process for obtaining a veteran's designation on a driver's license.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Muri, prime sponsor; and Dick Hayek.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.