Bill Text: CA AB363 | 2017-2018 | Regular Session | Chaptered

California Assembly Bill 363 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Driver’s licenses: veteran designation.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2017-10-08 - Chaptered by Secretary of State - Chapter 579, Statutes of 2017. [AB363 Detail]

Download: California-2017-AB363-Chaptered.html

Assembly Bill No. 363

CHAPTER 579

An act to amend, repeal, and add Section 14901.1 of the Vehicle Code, relating to driver’s licenses.

[ Approved by Governor October 08, 2017. Filed with Secretary of State October 08, 2017. ]

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AB 363, Quirk-Silva. Driver’s licenses: veteran designation.

Existing law requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to issue a driver’s license to an applicant when the department determines that the applicant is lawfully entitled to a license. Existing law allows an in-person applicant for a driver’s license or identification card to request the word “VETERAN” be printed on the face of the driver’s license or identification card, subject to certain requirements, including, among others, verification of veteran status, as specified, and payment of a $5 fee, which the department is authorized to increase by regulation, in an amount not to exceed $15, as specified.

This bill, commencing July 1, 2019, would prohibit a fee from being charged for the above-described request if made by (1) a person who has been determined to have a current income level that meets the eligibility requirements for specified assistance programs, or (2) a person who can verify his or her status as a homeless person, in accordance with specified provisions.

Vote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: NO

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.

Section 14901.1 of the Vehicle Code is amended to read:

14901.1.

(a) In addition to the fees required by Section 14900, 14900.1, or 14902, the department shall charge a one-time fee of five dollars ($5) to any person who requests, pursuant to paragraph (5) of subdivision (c) of Section 12811, that the person’s driver’s license or identification card be printed with the word “VETERAN” to indicate that the person has served in the United States Armed Forces. The department may increase the fee by regulation, in an amount not to exceed fifteen dollars ($15), to reimburse the department for its reasonable costs in processing and issuing a request for a license or card issued pursuant to paragraph (5) of subdivision (c) of Section 12811.

(b) This section shall become inoperative on July 1, 2019, and, as of January 1, 2020, is repealed.

SEC. 2.

Section 14901.1 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:

14901.1.

(a) In addition to the fees required by Section 14900, 14900.1, or 14902, and except as otherwise provided in subdivision (b), the department shall charge a one-time fee of five dollars ($5) to any person who requests, pursuant to paragraph (5) of subdivision (c) of Section 12811, that the person’s driver’s license or identification card be printed with the word “VETERAN” to indicate that the person has served in the United States Armed Forces. The department may increase the fee by regulation, in an amount not to exceed fifteen dollars ($15), to reimburse the department for its reasonable costs in processing and issuing a request for a license or card issued pursuant to paragraph (5) of subdivision (c) of Section 12811.

(b) (1) A fee shall not be charged for a request made pursuant to paragraph (5) of subdivision (c) of Section 12811 by either of the following persons:

(A) A person who has been determined to be eligible to obtain an original or replacement identification card at a reduced fee pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 14902.

(B) A person who can verify his or her status as a homeless person and who has been determined to be eligible to obtain an original or replacement identification card for no fee pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 14902.

(2) A person making a request under paragraph (1) shall have his or her status as a veteran verified by a county veteran service officer pursuant to paragraph (5) of subdivision (c) of Section 12811.