Report Title:

State Identification; Counties

 

Description:

Allows the attorney general to contract with counties for processing and issuing state identification cards.  Clarifies that counties may utilize driver licensing offices or other suitable county facilities to issue state identification cards.  (SD1)

 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

623

TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2009

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

S.D. 1

 

 

 

 

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

 

RELATING TO STATE IDENTIFICATION.

 

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

 

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that state identification is vital for seniors, children, and other individuals who do not possess a driver's license or other picture identification.  Currently, obtaining a state identification card (certificate of identification) is a lengthy process because processing and administration is conducted at a single location with limited hours of operation.  This leads to long lines and some individuals being turned away due to daily demand.  There have been recent attempts to bring state identification personnel into the community, but only for specific dates and times.

     The legislature further finds that the islands of Moloka‘i and Lana‘i do not have county equivalents of a city hall as in Honolulu that can be used to issue state identification cards.

     The authority to process and issue state identification cards is vested in the attorney general.  The purpose of this Act is to allow the attorney general to contract with one or more counties for the purpose of processing and issuing state identification cards at driver licensing offices or other suitable county locations.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 46, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§46-    State identification; contracts with State to process and issue.  The attorney general may contract with a county for the processing and issuance of state certificates of identification pursuant to section 846-21.  Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, a county may use driver licensing offices or any suitable county facility for the purposes of carrying out state identification administration."

     SECTION 3.  Section 846-21, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended to read as follows:

     "§846-21  Authority of attorney general.  (a)  The attorney general shall carry out this part.  In conformity with chapter 76, the attorney general may appoint [such] subordinates, [at such compensation,] compensated within the limits of available appropriations [therefor], or without compensation, as may be necessary or proper to carry out this part, and[,] the attorney general may delegate to [such] the subordinates [such of] the attorney general's powers and duties as may be necessary for the efficient administration of this part.

     (b)  The attorney general may contract with a county for the processing and issuance of certificates of identification under this part.  The attorney general may provide training and supervision of county employees related to its duties under this part."

     SECTION 4.  Statutory material to be repealed is bracketed and stricken.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 5.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.