2000-02-02                     House Journal                      Page 2060
HB 324                                                                       
HOUSE BILL NO. 324 by the House Rules Committee by request of                  
the Governor, entitled:                                                        
                                                                               
"An Act requiring written consent by the person who is the subject            
of the information before releasing personal information contained             
in motor vehicle records, to comply with 18 U.S.C. 2721; and                   
providing for an effective date."                                              
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs, Judiciary, and      
Finance Committees.                                                            
                                                                               
The following fiscal note applies:                                             
                                                                               
Fiscal note, Dept. of Administration, 2/2/00                                   
                                                                               
The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 31, 2000, appears              
below:                                                                         
                                                                               
"Dear Speaker Porter:                                                          
                                                                               
I am transmitting a bill relating to consent before releasing personal         
information contained in motor vehicle records to comply with recent           
changes to the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act of 1994.                
Provisions in this bill must be in effect by June 1, 2000, to avoid any        
possible federal fines.                                                        
                                                                               
Alaska law currently restricts the release of personal information by the      
division of motor vehicles (DMV) in the Department of Administration           
to government agencies, including law enforcement and the courts, to           
businesses to verify information submitted to them by individuals, and         
to other persons for purposes prescribed by law.  It also allows the           
release for commercial purposes  or  any other purpose if the person           

2000-02-02                     House Journal                      Page 2061
HB 324                                                                       
who is the subject of the information is given an opportunity to request       
that the information not be released for these purposes.  This bill            
provides that information may be released for commercial or other              
purposes only if the person who is the subject of the information has          
provided written consent to the release.  Thus, rather than giving a           
person an opportunity to object to the release of personal information,        
the DMV cannot release the information unless the person has                   
affirmatively consented in writing to the release.                             
                                                                               
These amendments will protect the privacy of Alaskans.                         
                                                                               
							Sincerely,                                                              
							/s/                                                                     
							Tony Knowles                                                            
							Governor"