HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 2378
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 allowing for a veteran designation on drivers' licenses and identicards.
Brief Description: Allowing for a veteran designation on drivers' licenses and identicards.
Sponsors: Representatives McCune, Orwall, Ahern, Finn, Kelley and Ryu.
Brief History:
Committee Activity:
Transportation: 1/23/12, 2/7/12 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION |
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 25 members: Representatives Clibborn, Chair; Armstrong, Ranking Minority Member; Hargrove, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Angel, Asay, Finn, Fitzgibbon, Hansen, Jinkins, Johnson, Klippert, Kristiansen, Ladenburg, McCune, Moeller, Moscoso, Overstreet, Reykdal, Rivers, Rodne, Ryu, Shea, Takko, Upthegrove and Zeiger.
Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 4 members: Representatives Billig, Vice Chair; Liias, Vice Chair; Eddy and Morris.
Staff: Alison Hellberg (786-7152).
Background:
The Department of Licensing (Department) issues driver's licenses and identification cards. The fee for a driver's license is $25 and it is issued for a period of five years. The fee for identification cards is $20 and the renewal period is five years.
The United States Department of Defense issues a document known as "DD Form 214" that constitutes a verified record of a service member's time in the military. This form also shows a service member's reason for discharge. Government agencies use this form to determine eligibility for certain veteran benefits.
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Summary of Bill:
A person may apply to the Department to obtain a veteran designation on a driver's license or identification card. The person must provide the Department of Defense discharge document, DD Form 214, that shows a discharge status of "honorable" or "general under honorable conditions" and establishes the person's service in the armed forces.
The Department may charge an additional fee for driver's licenses with a veteran designation that is sufficient to cover the start-up and administrative costs associated with the inclusion of the designation. The fee may not, however, exceed $7.50 per designation.
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Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect July 1, 2012.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This bill is a good way to honor veterans. It also allows veterans to get discounts in certain situations. Fifteen other states do this and 13 of them charge no fee. The fee in the bill is an estimate and should be sufficient to cover the costs of the program. It is important because many veterans do not have identification. The bill requires that veterans present proper documentation in order to get this identification.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Representative McCune, prime sponsor; and Ted Wicorek, Veterans Legislative Coalition.
Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.