BILL REQ. #:  Z-0234.2 

Read first time 01/16/2007.   Referred to Committee on Transportation.

     AN ACT Relating to the issuance of enhanced drivers' licenses and identicards to facilitate crossing the Canadian border; and adding a new section to chapter 46.20 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 46.20 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The department may enter into a memorandum of understanding with any federal agency for the purposes of facilitating the crossing of the border between the state of Washington and the Canadian province of British Columbia.
     (2) The department may enter into an agreement with the Canadian province of British Columbia for the purposes of implementing a border-crossing initiative.
     (3)(a) The department may issue an enhanced driver's license or identicard for the purposes of crossing the border between the state of Washington and the Canadian province of British Columbia to an applicant who provides the department with proof of: United States citizenship, identity, and state residency.
     (b) The department shall implement a one-to-many biometric matching system for the enhanced driver's license or identicard. An applicant for an enhanced driver's license or identicard shall submit a biometric identifier as designated by the department. The biometric identifier must be used solely for the purpose of verifying the identity of the holders and for any purpose set out in RCW 46.20.037. Applicants are required to sign a declaration acknowledging their understanding of the one-to-many biometric match.
     (c) The requirements of this subsection are in addition to the requirements otherwise imposed on applicants for a driver's license or identicard. The department shall adopt such rules as necessary to meet the requirements of this subsection.
     (4) The department may set a fee for the issuance of enhanced drivers' licenses and identicards under this section.