SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 5154

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 Senate, March 8, 2017

Title: An act relating to driver's license formats for persons approaching twenty-one years of age.

Brief Description: Concerning driver's license formats for persons approaching twenty-one years of age.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Fain, Hobbs, Liias, Zeiger, Billig, Wilson and Kuderer).

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Transportation: 1/24/17, 1/31/17 [DPS].

Floor Activity:

Passed Senate: 3/08/17, 49-0.

Brief Summary of First Substitute Bill

  • Allows a person to renew their driver's license and convert it to the format for a person who is 21 years of age or older, within a week of their 21st birthday.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5154 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

Signed by Senators King, Chair; Hobbs, Ranking Minority Member; Liias, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Cleveland, Fortunato, Hawkins, O'Ban, Saldaña, Takko, Van De Wege, Walsh and Wilson.

Staff: Kellee Keegan (786-7429)

Background: By law, the Department of Licensing (DOL) may provide a method to distinguish the driver's license of a person who is under the age of 21 from licenses of those who are 21 years of age or older. The DOL does this by making licenses of those under the age of 21 oriented vertically, and those who are twenty-one years of age and older oriented horizontally.

A driver's license expires on the sixth anniversary of the licensee's birthdate following the issuance of the license.

Summary of First Substitute Bill: A person, within a week of their 21st birthday, would be permitted to renew their driver's license and convert it to the format of a driver's license for a person who is 21 years of age or older.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect on July 1, 2018.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony on First Substitute: PRO: This is a simple bill that allows people to renew their driver's license before their birthday.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Joe Fain, Prime Sponsor.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.