Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2003

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs, and Government Operations, to which was referred H.B. No. 324, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to amend the driver's license application process so that persons who are ineligible for a social security number can obtain a driver's license by presenting alternative documentation.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Transportation, two administrators from the University of Hawaii at Manoa, the East-West Center, Maui Community College, the University of Hawaii – West Oahu, and two concerned citizens. The Hawaii Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association and Na Loio – Immigrant Rights and Public Interest Legal Center submitted comments regarding this measure.

Your Committee finds that due to the lack of an effective broad-scale mass transit system in Hawaii, a driver's license is necessary to provide residents with freedom of movement.

Non-United States citizens, who are legally in the country but ineligible for a social security number, have experienced difficulty in obtaining the documentation necessary to obtain a driver's license.

Prior to the implementation of heightened security measures as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the Social Security Administration (SSA) issued social security numbers to individuals with a letter from the Division of Motor Vehicle and Licensing for the purpose of obtaining a driver's license.

In March, 2002, the SSA discontinued that practice, and for a period non-citizens were unable to obtain a driver's license. Although the SSA has begun issuing the documentation necessary to obtain a driver's license, it may discontinue that practice again at any time. Therefore, your Committee supports codification of alternative forms of acceptable identification for persons who are unable to obtain a social security number.

Your Committee amended this measure to set forth criteria regarding the types of alternative documentation that are acceptable. As amended, a person may submit an in-state Hawaii student photo identification card or a government-issued identification document. Your Committee also listed several types of government-issued identification that are acceptable, and authorized the examiner of drivers to adopt rules to specify further acceptable documentation.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation, Military Affairs, and Government Operations that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 324, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 324, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.