HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 5382

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 the issuance of identicards at a reduced cost to applicants who are under the age of eighteen and without a permanent residence address.

Brief Description: Authorizing the issuance of identicards at a reduced cost to applicants who are under the age of eighteen and without a permanent residence address.

Sponsors: Senators Liias, Hobbs, Walsh, King, Takko, Saldaña, Cleveland, Chase, Kuderer and Wellman.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:

Transportation: 3/16/17, 3/22/17 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Mandates that identicards (IDs) issued to individuals under the age of 18 who do not have a permanent residence address be charged a fee equal to the cost of production of the ID.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 16 members: Representatives Clibborn, Chair; Farrell, Vice Chair; Fey, Vice Chair; Wylie, Vice Chair; Chapman, Gregerson, Hayes, Kloba, Lovick, McBride, Morris, Ortiz-Self, Pellicciotti, Riccelli, Stambaugh and Tarleton.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Orcutt, Ranking Minority Member; Hargrove, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Harmsworth, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Pike, Rodne, Shea and Van Werven.

Minority Report: Without recommendation. Signed by 1 member: Representative Irwin.

Staff: Jennifer Harris (786-7143).

Background:

The Department of Licensing (DOL) is required to issue a standard identicard (ID) to an applicant who does not hold a valid Washington driver's license, proves his or her identity, and pays the required fee. The issuance fee for a standard ID that is valid for six years is $54, unless an applicant is a recipient of public assistance grants and is referred in writing by the Secretary of Social and Health Services. For these individuals, the fee must be set to equal the cost of production of the ID.

To prove identity, a driver's license or ID applicant must provide at least one of the following forms of identifying documentation containing a signature and a photograph of the applicant: (1) a valid or recently expired driver's license or instruction permit that includes the date of birth of the applicant; (2) a Washington ID or an identification card issued by another state; (3) an identification card issued by the United States (U.S.), a state, or an agency of the U.S. or a state, of a kind commonly used to identify the members or employees of the government agency; (4) a military identification card; (5) a U.S. passport; or (6) an immigration and naturalization service form.

An applicant who is under the age of 18 may also establish identity by providing an affidavit of the applicant's parent or guardian, as long as the parent or guardian accompanies the minor and displays or provides (1) at least one piece of documentation noted above to establish the identity of the parent or guardian, and (2) additional documentation establishing the relationship between the parent or guardian and the applicant.

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Summary of Bill:

Identicards issued to individuals under the age of 18 who do not have a permanent residence address, as determined by the DOL by rule, must be charged a fee equal to the cost of production of the ID.

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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, except for section 2, relating to identicards, which takes effect August 30, 2017.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) Homeless shelters that provide services to young people need to pay the DOL $54 per ID card for the young people they serve. An ID is needed to secure permanent housing, a job, and to reintegrate into society. Having a nonprofit pay $54 for these IDs is not the best use of nonprofit funds, which could be better used to provide food, clothing, and shelter.

There is a program to provide some individuals with ID cards at cost, but homeless youth do not qualify for it. The bill will allow the DOL to determine by rule the best method by which to ensure that homeless youth in shelters can secure an ID card and will enable providers to have additional funding available for the core services they provide.

Homeless youth face many struggles and their numbers are increasing. It is important to support youth trying to navigate a system that is challenging. This bill will save providers thousands of dollars. It had bipartisan support in the Senate.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Senator Liias, prime sponsor; Paul Benz, Faith Action Network; and Joe DePinto, Cocoon House.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.