2025-04-09                     Senate Journal                      Page 0746
SB 165                                                                                                                        
SENATE BILL NO. 165 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                                                                               
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
          "An Act relating to the powers of the commissioner                                                                    
          of administration with respect to motor vehicles;                                                                     
          relating to electronic identification cards; relating to                                                              
          electronic driver's licenses and permits; and                                                                         
          providing for an effective date."                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
was read the first time and referred to the Transportation and State                                                            
Affairs Committees.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
The following fiscal information was published today:                                                                           
 Fiscal Note No. 1, zero, Department of Administration                                                                          
 Fiscal Note No. 2, zero, Department of Public Safety                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Governor's transmittal letter dated April 8:                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
Dear President Stevens:                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
Under the authority of Article III, Section 18 of the Alaska                                                                    
Constitution, I am transmitting a bill to update the powers of the                                                              
Commissioner of Administration with respect to motor vehicles,                                                                  
including the issuance of electronic identification cards, driver’s                                                             
licenses, and permits.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                

2025-04-09                     Senate Journal                      Page 0747
This bill authorizes the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to issue                                                              
electronic identification cards and electronic driver’s licenses and                                                            
permits. Because an electronic identification card or driver’s license                                                          
may be displayed to a peace officer on a mobile device, the bill                                                                
includes provisions that limit a peace officer’s access to an                                                                   
individual’s mobile device and provide civil immunity for                                                                       
unintentional damage to such devices.                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
Additionally, the bill permits the Commissioner of Administration to                                                            
enter into data-sharing agreements with law enforcement agencies,                                                               
governmental agencies or programs, or data exchange services—such                                                               
as the National Driver Register, Problem Driver Pointer System,                                                                 
Commercial Driver’s License Information System, State-to-State                                                                  
National Verification Service, and the Driver License Data                                                                      
Verification Service.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
These changes will equip the DMV with the necessary tools to keep its                                                           
systems current with modern technology and ensure that its                                                                      
communications and practices remain effective in both state and                                                                 
national contexts.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
Sincerely,                                                                                                                      
/s/                                                                                                                             
Mike Dunleavy                                                                                                                   
Governor