SENATE BILL REPORT

                            HB 1444

   AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, APRIL 2, 1993

Brief Description:  Requiring identification for driver's licenses and identicards.

SPONSORS: Representatives Schmidt, Sheldon, Anderson, R. Fisher, Ballasiotes, Horn, Brough, Sheahan, Long, Campbell, Brumsickle, Ballard, Wood, Miller and Forner

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended. 

     Signed by Senators Vognild, Chairman; Loveland, Vice Chairman; Skratek, Vice Chairman; Drew, Haugen, Nelson, Oke, Prentice, Prince, M. Rasmussen, Sheldon, and Winsley.

Staff:  Brad Lovaas (786‑7307)

Hearing Dates: March 25, 1993; April 2, 1993

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Licensing (DOL) Driver Services Division issues drivers' licenses and identicards through its driver examining program.  The 62 driver licensing offices statewide issue over 1,400,000 photo drivers' licenses, identicards and instruction permits annually.  Currently there are over 4,000,000 valid photo driver's licenses, identicards and instruction permits.  A driver's license must be renewed every four years and identicards every five years.

Currently DOL accepts an unlimited number of types of identification in order to secure a driver's license or identicard.

SUMMARY:

Seven specific types of identification that would be acceptable in order to be issued a driver's license or identicard are put in statute.  All seven types of identification must contain a signature and a photograph.  They include:  1) a valid or recently expired driver's license or instruction permit; 2) a valid Washington State identicard or an identification card issued by another state; 3) an identification card issued by a federal or state agency; 4) a military identification card; 5) a United States passport; 6) a nonresident alien registration; and 7) an immigration and naturalization service form.

A person who cannot supply any of the forms of identification listed above may request the Department of Licensing (DOL) to review other documentation.  DOL may issue a driver's license or identicard if the documentation presented clearly establishes the identity of the applicant.

A procedure is established for identifying a minor who cannot provide any of the forms of identification listed above.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

Language is removed that specifies a form of identification that is already contained in another subsection.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

TESTIMONY FOR:

Will ensure that the driver's license is a secure form of identification.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Representative Schmidt, prime sponsor; Trevor Sandison, Washington Bankers Association (pro); Carter Mitchell, Liquor Control Board (pro); Jan Gee, Washington Retail Association (pro)