BILL ANALYSIS Ó
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|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SB 720|
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THIRD READING
Bill No: SB 720
Author: Runner (R), et al.
Amended: 3/22/11
Vote: 21
SENATE TRANSPORTATION & HOUSING COMMITTEE : 9-0, 3/29/11
AYES: DeSaulnier, Gaines, Harman, Huff, Kehoe, Lowenthal,
Pavley, Rubio, Simitian
SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE : Senate Rule 28.8
SUBJECT : Drivers licenses: spouses of military
personnel
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This bill extends the validity of a driver's
license of the spouse of a person in the military while the
spouse and the member of the military are absent from the
state.
ANALYSIS : Existing law requires that to drive a motor
vehicle on a highway, street, or off-street parking
facility a person must hold a valid driver's license.
To receive an original driver's license, a person applies
and pays the required fee to the Department of Motor
Vehicles (DMV), provides proof of legal presence in the
United States plus other specified information, and must
take and pass a written driver's test, a behind-the-wheel
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driving test, and a vision test. A driver's license is
valid for a period of five years at which time the driver
must apply to DMV for a renewal. In many instances, the
driver may apply on line or via the mail for a renewal.
For every third renewal (i.e., every 15 years) or under
other specified circumstances related to age or driving
record, the driver must visit a DMV office to be
re-examined and have a new photograph taken.
Existing law makes a California driver's license held by a
person in the United States Armed Forces valid for the
entire period that person is absent from the state so long
as service continues and up to 30 days following the date
the person is honorably separated from military service or
until the date the person returns to California. During
the period after discharge, in order for the license to
remain valid, the person must have both the license and
discharge or separation papers in his/her immediate
possession.
This bill provides this same extension of validity of the
driver's license to a spouse of a person in the United
States Armed Forces while the member of the military and
his/her spouse are absent from the state, provided that the
military member remains in the service and for up to 30
days following the date the military member is honorably
separated from that service or spouse returns to
California, whichever occurs first. During the period
after discharge, in order for the license to remain valid,
the spouse must have both the license and a copy of the
member of the Armed Force's discharge or separation papers
in his/her immediate possession.
FISCAL EFFECT : Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes
Local: No
SUPPORT : (Verified 4/12/10)
American Legion
AMVETS
California State Commanders Veterans Council
Military Officers Association of America
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ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT : The author's office states that it
is longstanding tradition in our nation to extend benefits
to members of the Armed Services to make life easier and
less worrisome when they are out of state or country
defending the nation. Likewise, military spouses often
move with the service member and life can be stressful and
busy. Taking the task of renewing a license or having to
get a driver's license in the new state off the to-do list
is a small step the state can take to make military life
easier for both the service member and their dependents.
California does not currently extend this benefit to
military spouses, but the author's office notes that 15
states automatically renew drivers' licenses to cover the
length of time that active duty military personnel and
their spouses are absent from those states.
RJG:do 4/12/11 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
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