BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 1637
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Date of Hearing: March 24, 2014
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION
Bonnie Lowenthal, Chair
AB 1637 (Fraizer) - As Introduced: February 11, 2014
SUBJECT : Driver's Licenses: Veterans
SUMMARY : Requires the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to
offer a driver's license (DL) or identification card (ID)
printed with the word "VETERAN" indicating the licensee or
possessor of an identification card is a military veteran.
Specifically, this bill :
1)Requires the application for a DL or ID to allow an applicant
the option to provide a "Certificate of Release or Discharge
from Active Duty"(DD-214) in a manner determined by the DMV.
2)Requires DMV to allow an applicant to present to DMV a
verification that a DD-214 has been issued from a county
veteran's service officer.
3)Allows the applicant to request DMV to print the word
"VETERAN" on a DL or ID and requires DMV to print "VETERAN" on
the face of a DL or ID upon verification of documentation, as
specified.
4)Requires DMV to charge an additional unspecified fee to an
applicant who provides a DD-214 and makes the request to have
the word "VETERAN" printed on the applicant's DL or ID.
5)Requires DMV to forward one dollar $1 of the fee to the State
Controller to be deposited into the Veterans Service Office
Fund to be used to support county veteran's service offices.
EXISTING LAW :
1)Requires a DL 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
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.
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2)Specifies the contents of a DL and requires the application
for a DL or ID to contain a space for an applicant to indicate
whether they have served in the armed forces and to give their
consent to be contacted regarding eligibility to receive state
or federal veteran benefits.
3)Requires DMV to collect specific information and
electronically transmit to the Department of Veterans Affairs
each relevant applicant's true full name and mailing address.
4)Allows this specified 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-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 offer varying degrees of
benefits and services for veterans. In the past, the DD-214
sufficed for veterans' relatively infrequent experiences with
the federal Veterans Affairs 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. According to a San
Diego Union Tribune article, "California veterans may be losing
out on $400 million in federal benefits."
This bill will provide an easy way for veterans to identify
themselves and potentially gain more timely access to these
services. Moreover, the author further asserts that having the
veteran's designation would "be helpful to medical and law
enforcement agencies. This designation would ensure that these
entities are informed and therefore better equipped to handle
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medical and law enforcement situations - for example, a
situation involving a veteran with some sort of trauma, such as
posttraumatic stress disorder as a result of their service."
In consideration of these potential advantages, 40 states
currently offer veterans designation on DL's with several
additional states considering pending legislation.
Previous versions of this bill have led to ongoing discussions
with DMV related to establishing the appropriate fee cover the
cost associated with the proposed veteran designation. The
author's office has indicated that discussions will continue
with DMV to identify the proper fee to be included in this bill.
Double referral : This bill has also been referred to the
Assembly Veterans Affairs Committee.
Previous legislation:
AB 531 (Frazier) nearly identical to this bill, required DMV to
offer a DL or ID printed with the word "VETERAN" indicating the
licensee or possessor of an identification card is a military
veteran. That bill was held on suspense in the Assembly
Appropriations Committee.
AB 1725 (Lowenthal) required DMV to offer a DL with a symbol
indicating the licensee is a military veteran, such as the
letter "V", or some other appropriate form of designation. That
bill was held on suspense in the Assembly Appropriations
Committee.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
American Legion (co-sponsor)
AMVETS (co-sponsor)
California Association of County Veteran Service Officers
(co-sponsor)
California State Commanders Veterans Council (co-sponsor)
Veterans of Foreign Wars (co-sponsor)
California Association of County Veterans Service Officers
(co-sponsor)
Contra Costa County
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Veterans Caucus of the California Democratic Party
County of Los Angeles
Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriffs
Riverside Sheriff's Association
Los Angeles Police Protective League
California Police Chiefs Association
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by : Manny Leon / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093