BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 1725
Page 1
Date of Hearing: April 9, 2012
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Bonnie Lowenthal, Chair
AB 1725 (Bonnie Lowenthal) - As Introduced: February 16, 2012
SUBJECT : Driver's licenses
SUMMARY : Requires the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to
offer a driver's license with a symbol indicating the licensee
is a military veteran. Specifically, this bill :
1)Requires the application for a driver's license or
Identification (ID) card to allow a person to present to DMV,
in a manner determined by the department, a Certificate of
Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214) and to
request the driver's license or ID card be designated with a
"V" or another appropriate designation to indicate that the
person has served in the United States Armed Forces.
2)Requires DMV to allow an applicant to present a verification
that the person has received a DD Form 214 from a county
veterans service officer.
3)Requires DMV, upon payment of the required fee, to print the
letter "V" or another appropriate designation on the face of a
driver's license or ID card issued to a person who makes this
request and presents the DD Form 214.
4)Requires DMV to charge a fee of an unspecified amount to any
person who requests a driver's license or ID card be
designated with a designation to indicate that the person has
served in the United States Armed Forces.
5)Requires DMV to forward $1 of the fee Controller, for deposit
in the Veterans Service Office Fund for expenditure, upon
appropriation by the Legislature, for the support of county
veterans service offices.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Requires a driver's license issued by DMV to state the class
of license for which the licensee has qualified and to contain
the distinguishing number assigned to the applicant, the date
of expiration, the true full name, age, and mailing address of
AB 1725
Page 2
the licensee, a brief description and engraved picture or
photograph of the licensee for the purpose of identification,
and space for the signature of the licensee.
2)Requires applications for a driver's license or ID card to
contain a space for an applicant to indicate whether he or she
has served in the Armed Forces of the United States and to
give his or her consent to be contacted regarding eligibility
to receive state or federal veterans benefits.
3)Requires DMV to collect this information and electronically
transmit to the Department of Veterans Affairs each relevant
applicant's true full name and mailing address.
4)Allows this information to be used by the Department of
Veterans Affairs for the purpose of assisting individuals to
access veterans benefits and prohibits its dissemination
except as needed for that purpose.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown
COMMENTS : Veterans groups point out that as large numbers of
service members return from overseas deployments, they desire an
efficient means of proving their eligibility for benefits and
discounts (such as those available from Home Depot or Jiffy
Lube). When they are still in the military, they use their
military ID cards. Upon leaving the service they are issued a
paper discharge DD form 214, containing a substantial amount of
personal information and intended for a person's private files,
and therefore not suitable for carrying around at all times.
Federal, state, and local governments all offer varying degrees
of benefits and services for veterans. The benefits and
services are earned by veterans as a result of their military
service. In the past, the DD form 214 sufficed for veterans'
relatively infrequent experiences with the federal VA system.
However, in the last decade, numerous private, non-profit
service providers have begun to offer a variety of services for
veterans, including housing, mental health, drug counseling, and
financial, educational, and occupational assistance. This bill
would provide an easy way for veterans to identify themselves
and access these services.
Another benefit of having a symbol on the driver's license that
quickly identifies veterans is that some of them may
AB 1725
Page 3
unfortunately suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
as a result of their combat service. Some PTSD victims have
been known to scuffle with law enforcement after returning home.
If police at the scene of an incident realize they are dealing
with a veteran who may have PTSD, it could help them better
handle the situation. Recently, Peace Officer Standards and
Training (POST) standards were changed to include training on
how to recognize veterans with mental issues. Hence, having a
veterans' designation on the driver's license would allow
medical personnel, especially those in emergency rooms, to be
aware that they are dealing with veterans who may have mental
issues or other injuries caused by military service.
In consideration of these potential advantages, in 2011, 12
states enacted laws adding veteran's designations to driver's
licenses: Arkansas, Connecticut, Florida, Indiana, Maine,
Massachusetts, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee,
Texas, and Utah.
There may be some practical problems in implementing this bill,
as both the face of the license and the license application will
need to be modified. Both of these documents are already
crowded with necessary information and data. Additionally, any
new mandate that adds time to the in-person license application
process can be troublesome to DMV, which is sensitive to the
issue of wait times at its field offices. The sponsors are
sensitive to these issues and are working with DMV to identify
the least burdensome means of accomplishing the bill's
objectives.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
American Legion-Department of California (sponsor)
AMVETS-Department of California (sponsor)
California Association of County Veterans Service Officers
(sponsor)
California State Commanders Veterans Council (sponsor)
Vietnam Veterans of America-California State Council (sponsor)
AB 1725
Page 4
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by : Howard Posner / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093