Residency proof rules changed for drivers
Published 10:32 am Thursday, December 11, 2008
By Dennis Box-The Courier-Herald
The state Department of Licensing has made some changes that came out of an issue first raised in legislature during the last session.
Rep. Dan Roach, R-Bonney Lake was the prime sponsor of a bill asking for changes in the way the department was issuing licenses to first-time drivers and out-of-state drivers. Rep. Chris Hurst, D-Greenwater, also signed on in support of the House bill.
Federal Air Marshall Service from the Department of Homeland Security first brought the issue to Roach's attention.
The House Transportation Committee heard testimony from two officers concerning the bill. According to the officers the state was issuing licenses without obtaining proof of legal residency or citizenship.
Officials said illegal immigrants were able to obtain licenses in other states after receiving their Washington state license. The department was concerned about illegal immigration and terrorism.
Roach's bill did not make it to the floor for a vote, however the Department of Licensing began requiring proof of residency in May.
Roach said he had met with Liz Luce, director of the Department of Licensing, concerning the issue.
“She was very supportive of the bill,” Roach said. “And I think what the department has done is a good effort. It just needs to be put into law.”
Roach said he intends to continue to push the bill through the legislature during the next session.
“The problem with doing this through the department is the only enforcement is through the department,” Roach said. “The department can stop enforcing it if it chooses. There is no force of law behind it.”
Roach also said he is working on the language of the bill to get it through the House and Senate during the next session.
Dennis Box can be reached at dbox@cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/courierherald.
