HOUSE BILL REPORT
EHB 1887


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:
January 30, 2008

Title: An act relating to allowing identicard renewal by mail or electronic commerce for individuals over the age of seventy.

Brief Description: Allowing identicard renewal by mail or electronic commerce for individuals over the age of seventy.

Sponsors: By Representatives Linville, Armstrong and Grant.

Brief History:

Transportation: 2/19/07, 3/1/07 [DP].

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 3/9/07, 97-0.

Floor Activity:

Passed House: 1/30/08, 96-0.

Brief Summary of Engrossed Bill
  • Allows an applicant over the age of 70 to renew his or her identicard in perpetuity by mail or by means of electronic commerce, if the applicant has renewed the identicard through a personal appearance after the age of 70.


HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 26 members: Representatives Clibborn, Chair; Flannigan, Vice Chair; Jarrett, Ranking Minority Member; Schindler, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Appleton, Armstrong, Campbell, Curtis, Dickerson, Eddy, Ericksen, Hailey, Hankins, Hudgins, Kristiansen, Lovick, Rodne, Rolfes, Sells, Simpson, Springer, B. Sullivan, Takko, Upthegrove, Wallace and Wood.

Staff: David Munnecke (786-7315).

Background:

The Department of Licensing (DOL) is required to issue an identicard to an applicant who does not hold a valid Washington driver's license, is able to prove his or her identity using the accepted forms of identification, and pays the required fee. The identicard expires on the fifth anniversary of the applicant's birthdate after issuance.

An applicant seeking to renew his or her identicard can do so by means of a personal appearance, or through the DOL's online renewal system. In order to be eligible for online renewal, an applicant must have renewed the identicard by means of a personal appearance when it last expired, and must have a photograph on file with the DOL.


Summary of Engrossed Bill:

An applicant who has renewed his or her identicard by means of a personal appearance before the DOL after his or her 70th birthday and has a photograph on file with the DOL, may renew his or her identicard by mail or electronic commerce in perpetuity.


Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect on January 1, 2009.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) If a person doesn't have a current form of identification, documents often cannot be notarized for them. The only other option, the credible witness approach, can only be used in a very small number of cases. If a notarization is found to be improper, property deeds can be invalidated and wills can be overturned.

The population of this state is aging, and the problem of elderly individuals not having valid forms of identification is only going to grow unless it is addressed now. Airlines and hospitals are other entities that are going to need to use these documents.

(Opposed) None.

Persons Testifying: Representative Linville, prime sponsor; Laura Vestanen; and Robin Pestarino, American Association of University Women.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.