Legislature(2021 - 2022)BUTROVICH 205

04/07/2022 03:30 PM Senate STATE AFFAIRS

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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
*+ HB 234 POLITICAL CONTRIBUTION LIMITS TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
*+ SB 215 REVIEW & REPORTING OF FED. RECEIPTS; LB&A TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
*+ SB 205 DIGITAL ABSENTEE VOTING SYSTEM TELECONFERENCED
Scheduled but Not Heard
*+ SB 57 ALASKA SUNSET COMMISSION TELECONFERENCED
Scheduled but Not Heard
+ Bills Previously Heard/Scheduled: TELECONFERENCED
+= SB 194 ALLOW ELECTRONIC DRIVERS' LICENSES AND ID TELECONFERENCED
Heard & Held
**Streamed live on AKL.tv**
        SB 194-ALLOW ELECTRONIC DRIVERS' LICENSES AND ID                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
3:36:34 PM                                                                                                                    
VICE CHAIR  REINBOLD announced the  consideration of  SENATE BILL                                                               
NO.  194 "An  Act  relating to  electronic identification  cards;                                                               
relating to  electronic drivers'  licenses and  permits; relating                                                               
to  motor  vehicle  liability insurance;  and  providing  for  an                                                               
effective date."                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
3:36:46 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR KAWASAKI, speaking  as sponsor of SB  194, explained that                                                               
the legislation would  allow Alaskans to carry  a digital version                                                               
of   their   driver's   license,  driver's   permit,   or   state                                                               
identification on their mobile device.  He credited a constituent                                                               
for  bringing this  idea forward.  He pointed  out that  Alaskans                                                               
have  been able  carry proof  of  auto insurance  on their  smart                                                               
phones since 2013 and proof  of their hunting license since 2018.                                                               
He said it only makes sense  to allow Alaskans to carry a digital                                                               
copy  of  their  driver's  license,  learner's  permit  or  state                                                               
identification on their smart phone.                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
He deferred further introduction to Stuart Relay.                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
3:38:22 PM                                                                                                                    
STUART RELAY, Staff, Senator Scott Kawasaki, Alaska State                                                                       
Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, presented the sponsor statement for                                                                
SB 194 on behalf of the sponsor. It read as follows:                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
[Original punctuation provided.]                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     Smartphones and  other smart mobile  electronic devices                                                                    
     have  become  an  indispensable part  of  modern  life.                                                                    
     These   devices   provide   convenient   communication,                                                                    
     information  and  entertainment   such  that  there  is                                                                    
     almost  no aspect  of life  that  smartphones have  not                                                                    
     made easier.                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
     SB 194  seeks to  leverage these  modern communications                                                                    
     technologies  to enhance  convenience for  Alaskans and                                                                    
     allow them to use  electronic versions of their drivers                                                                    
     licenses,  drivers  permits   or  state  identification                                                                    
     cards.  Alaskans   are  currently  required   to  carry                                                                    
     physical drivers  licenses and permits when  driving or                                                                    
     operating a vehicle.  This bill will allow  them to use                                                                    
     applications  like Apple  Wallet  for  iPhones to  show                                                                    
     their  credentials  when  requested by  peace  officers                                                                    
     including  local  law   enforcement  or  Department  of                                                                    
     Public Safety (DPS) personnel.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
     On top  of increasing  convenience, this  bill protects                                                                    
     the licensee  and user of  the smart device as  well as                                                                    
     local law enforcement and DPS.  It protects the privacy                                                                    
     of the  licensee and smart  device user  by prohibiting                                                                    
     representatives of  DPS or  local law  enforcement from                                                                    
     searching, viewing  or accessing other contents  of the                                                                    
     mobile  electronic device.  It protects  DPS and  local                                                                    
     law  enforcement from  liability resulting  from damage                                                                    
     to  the  electronic   device,  except  for  intentional                                                                    
     misconduct.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     Alaskans have been allowed to  use their smartphones to                                                                    
     display  proof of  insurance since  2013 and  use their                                                                    
     smartphones  to display  fishing  and hunting  licenses                                                                    
     since 2018.  Therefore, it is logical  that Alaskans be                                                                    
     allowed to use their  smartphones to display electronic                                                                    
     versions  of their  drivers  licenses, drivers  permits                                                                    
     and  state identification  cards.  I respectfully  urge                                                                    
     your support of  SB 194. Please reach out  to my office                                                                    
     with any questions.                                                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
3:40:45 PM                                                                                                                    
MR. RELAY presented the sectional analysis for SB 194.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     Section 1. AS 18.65.310(a)                                                                                               
     Adds the  word physical specifying that  the department                                                                
     shall  issue a  physical identification  card upon  the                                                                
     payment of a $15 fee.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     Section 2. AS 18.65.310 Adds new subsections:                                                                            
     (s)  The   department    may   issue    an   electronic                                                                    
     identification  card to  those who  possess a  physical                                                                    
     identification  card, pay  an additional  $50 fee,  and                                                                    
     retain a physical identification card.                                                                                     
     (t)  The   department  shall   adopt  regulations   for                                                                    
     issuing and use of electronic identification cards.                                                                        
     (u) Department  of Public Safety  (DPS) representatives                                                                    
     and  peace officers  may not  search,  view, or  access                                                                    
     other contents of the  mobile electronic device without                                                                    
     consent.                                                                                                                   
     (v)  DPS representatives  and  peace  officers are  not                                                                    
     liable  for damages  of  the  mobile electronic  device                                                                    
     unless for intentional misconduct.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     Section 3. AS 18.65.320(b)                                                                                               
     Adds the  word physical specifying that  a person whose                                                                
     physical  identification card  has been  cancelled must                                                                
     return  that  card  within 10  days  of  receiving  the                                                                    
     cancellation notice or be subject to a $100 fine.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     Section 4. AS 18.65.330                                                                                                  
     Amends  section  by  adding  definition  of  electronic                                                                    
     identification cards:                                                                                                      
          (2) "electronic identification  cards" a data file                                                                
     specific to an individual that                                                                                         
     (a)  displays the current identification card                                                                          
        (b)  is available on a mobile electronic device                                                                     
    through an app that allows the individuals data file to                                                               
     be downloaded from the department.                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
     Section 5. AS 28.05.051                                                                                                  
     Adds   the  word   physical  specifying   that  revoked                                                                
     physical licenses shall be  immediately returned to the                                                                
     department  upon receiving  notice and  allows the  DOA                                                                    
     commissioner,  officers,  or   employees,  as  well  as                                                                    
     Judges  and  court  employees  to  take  possession  of                                                                    
     physical licenses.                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                
     Section 6. AS 28.15.011(b)                                                                                               
     Adds the  words physical or electronic  specifying that                                                                
     drivers must  possess a physical or  electronic Alaskan                                                                
     drivers' license.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
3:42:54 PM                                                                                                                  
     Section 7. AS 28.15 Adds new section:                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
     Sec.  28.15.126 Electronic  licenses  and permits.  (a)                                                                  
     DOA may  issue electronic drivers' licenses  or permits                                                                    
     to a  person who possess  a physical license  or permit                                                                    
     and drivers  shall retain their physical  license.  (b)                                                                    
     The  commissioner  shall  adopt  regulations  to  issue                                                                    
     electronic  licenses  or  permits and  they  may  adopt                                                                    
     regulations  to require  physical  licenses in  certain                                                                    
     circumstances.                                                                                                             
      (c) The department shall display  a notice of seizure,                                                                    
     revocation,  cancellation  or   limitation  across  the                                                                    
     front of the persons electronic drivers license.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
     Section 8. AS 28.15.131(a)                                                                                               
     Adds the  words physical or electronic  specifying that                                                                
     drivers must  have a physical or  electroniclicense  in                                                                
                                                                                                                                
     immediate  possession  when  driving and  drivers  must                                                                    
     surrender   their   license   when  required   by   DPS                                                                    
     representatives or peace officers.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                              
3:43:49 PM                                                                                                                  
MR. RELAY continued to paraphrase the sectional analysis for SB
194.                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     Section 9. AS 28.15.131  Adds new subsections:                                                                           
     (c)  DPS  representatives  or   peace  officers  cannot                                                                    
     search,  view or  access other  contents of  the mobile                                                                    
     electronic device without consent.                                                                                         
     (d)  DPS  representatives  or  peace officers  are  not                                                                    
     liable  for damages  of  the  mobile electronic  device                                                                    
     unless for intentional misconduct.                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
     Section 10. AS 28.15.151(a)                                                                                              
      (5)  the  department  shall maintain  files  of  every                                                                
     application  for  an  electronic  driver's  license  or                                                                    
     permits  and the  permits and  licenses  issued by  the                                                                    
     department.                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
3:44:36 PM                                                                                                                    
[MR. RELAY did not read the conforming sections 11-21, but they                                                                 
are included here.]                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
     Section 11. AS 28.15.165(b)                                                                                              
     Adds  the word  physical  specifying the  seizure of  a                                                                
     person's physical drivers' license.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
     Section 12. AS 28.15.166(a)                                                                                              
     Adds  the word  physical  specifying that  a person  my                                                                
     request administrative review for  the seizure of their                                                                    
     physical driver's  license in  AS 28.15.165 and  if the                                                                
     license has not been  surrendered to the department, it                                                                    
     shall be at the time of the request.                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
     Section 13. AS 28.15.182(d)                                                                                              
     Adds the word physical  specifying that the court shall                                                                
     require the surrender of  the physical driver's license                                                                
     when imposing limitations in (c) of this section.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
     Section 14. AS 28.15.183(b)                                                                                              
     Adds  the  word  physical  specifying  that  the  peace                                                                
     office  shall   seize  a  person's   physical  driver's                                                                
     license  after  reading  the  notice  in  (a)  of  this                                                                    
     section.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
     Section 15. AS 28.15.184(a)                                                                                              
     Adds the  word physical specifying a  person my request                                                                
     administrative   review  for   the  seizure   of  their                                                                    
     physical  driver's license  in AS  28.15.183(a) and  if                                                                
     the   license  has   not   been   surrendered  to   the                                                                    
     department, it shall be at the time of the request.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
     Section 16. AS 28.15.187(b)                                                                                              
     Adds the word physical  specifying that a peace officer                                                                
     shall  seize  the  persons  physical  driver's  license                                                                
     after reading them the notice in (a) of this section.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     Section 17. AS 28.15.189(a)                                                                                              
     Adds the  word physical specifying a  person requesting                                                                
     administrative  review  for  notice received  under  AS                                                                    
     28.15.187 and  if the license has  not been surrendered                                                                    
     to  the department,  it shall  be  at the  time of  the                                                                    
     request                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
     Section 18. AS 28.15.191(c)                                                                                              
     Adds the  word physical  specifying a  physical license                                                            
     shall be  surrendered if  the court  suspends, revokes,                                                                    
     or limits a license.                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
     Section 19. AS 28.15.191(g)                                                                                              
     Adds  the words  physical  specifying  that a  physical                                                            
     license shall  be surrendered as a  condition of parole                                                                    
     or probation.                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
     Section 20. AS 28.15.191(h)                                                                                              
     Adds  the word  physical specifying  that the  board of                                                                
     parole  shall  require  the surrender  of  the  persons                                                                    
     physical license.                                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     Section 21. AS 28.15.201(b)                                                                                              
     Adds  the  word  physical specifying  that  a  physical                                                            
     driver's  license shall  be  surrendered  when a  court                                                                    
     imposes limitations under (a) of this section.                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
3:45:15 PM                                                                                                                    
     Section 22. AS 28.15.271(a)                                                                                              
     Increases  the   licensing  fees   and  adds   fee  for                                                                    
     electronic drivers' licenses or permits                                                                                    
     (1)  Noncommercial licenses from [$20] to $31                                                                          
     (2)  Commercial licenses from [$100] to $155                                                                           
     (3)  Instruction permits from [$15] to $23                                                                             
     (4)  Duplicate  drivers' license  or permit  from [$15]                                                                    
     to $23                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
     (5)  Temporary license  or renewal of permit  from [$5]                                                                    
     to $8                                                                                                                  
     (6)  School  bus driver  endorsement renewal  from [$5]                                                                    
     to $8                                                                                                                  
     (7)  Electronic drivers license or permit $50                                                                          
     Section 23. AS 28.20.560                                                                                                 
     Adds  the word  physical  specifying that  if a  person                                                                
     whose  license or  registration is  revoked under  this                                                                    
     chapter, they  shall immediately return  their physical                                                                
     license or registration to the department.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
3:46:25 PM                                                                                                                    
MR. RELAY continued to paraphrase the sectional analysis for SB
194.                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     Section 24. AS 28.22.019(d)                                                                                              
     Amends  section  by  requiring  DPS  representative  or                                                                    
     peace  officer who  is presented  with  proof of  motor                                                                    
     vehicle  liability  insurance  on a  mobile  electronic                                                                    
     device to  promptly return the device  once they verify                                                                    
     the person possesses liability insurance.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     Section 25. AS 28.22 019 Adds new subsection:                                                                            
       (f) A  DPS representative or peace  officer is immune                                                                    
     from liability  if the  mobile electronic  device being                                                                    
     used to  determine the persons motor  vehicle liability                                                                    
     insurance status is damaged.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
     Section 26. AS 28.22.041(d)                                                                                              
     Adds the  word physical  specifying that  when imposing                                                                
     limitations  under this  section  the department  shall                                                                    
     require   the  surrender   of  the   driver's  physical                                                                
     license.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
     Section 27. AS 28.33.100                                                                                                 
     Adds a new subsection                                                                                                      
          (g)   the   department    may   issue   electronic                                                                    
     commercial drivers licenses.                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                
     Section 28. AS 28.33.140(i)                                                                                              
     Adds the  words physical  specifying that if  the court                                                                
     disqualifies a  person from driving a  commercial motor                                                                    
     vehicle  the  person  shall  surrender  their  physical                                                                
     license.                                                                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
     Section 29. AS 28.35.034                                                                                                 
     Adds the  word physical  specifying that a  person must                                                                
     surrender their  physical license  or permit if  it has                                                                
     been revoked under AS 28.15.165 or AS 28.15.181.                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
3:47:58 PM                                                                                                                    
MR. RELAY continued to paraphrase the sectional analysis for SB
194.                                                                                                                            
                                                                                                                                
     Section 30. AS 28.90.990(a) Adds a new paragraph:                                                                        
     (33) defines  electronic driver's license or  permit as                                                                    
     a data file that is specific to an individual that                                                                         
        (A) displays the current drivers license and                                                                            
        (B) is available on a mobile electronic device                                                                          
        thorough an app that allows the individuals data                                                                        
        file to be downloaded from the department.                                                                              
                                                                                                                                
     Section 31. AS 33.16.150(i)                                                                                              
     Adds the words physical  specifying that in addition to                                                                
     other conditions  of parole imposed under  this section                                                                    
     the board  shall require the surrender  of the physical                                                                
     driver's  license or  identification  card and  forward                                                                    
     them to the department.                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
     Section 32.                                                                                                              
     Provides the Department of Administration the ability                                                                      
     to adopt regulations necessary to implement this Act.                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
     Section 33.                                                                                                              
     Provides an immediate effective date for Section 32 of                                                                     
     this Act.                                                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
     Section 34.                                                                                                              
     Provides an effective date of January 1, 2023 for this                                                                     
     Act except as provided for in Section 33.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
3:49:10 PM                                                                                                                    
VICE CHAIR REINBOLD asked the sponsor if he had anything to add.                                                                
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR KAWASAKI  restated that the  bill provides the  option to                                                               
carry a digital  copy of a driver's license,  driver's permit, or                                                               
state  identification card;  it  is not  mandatory. He  described                                                               
this as an added benefit and  freedom, and noted out that five or                                                               
six other states have adopted a similar policy.                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR HOLLAND asked for an  explanation of the fee increase [in                                                               
Section 22] and the date these fees were last increased.                                                                        
                                                                                                                                
MR. RELAY  answered that  the fee increases  in Section  22 track                                                               
inflation since the last increase in 2002.                                                                                      
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR  HOLLAND asked  if digital  licenses would  be associated                                                               
with an app rather than a digital copy of the license.                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
MR. RELAY said  that was his understanding but he  would defer to                                                               
Mr. Schmitz.                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
3:51:42 PM                                                                                                                    
JEFFREY  SCHMITZ, Director,  Division  of  Motor Vehicles  (DMV),                                                               
Department of Administration  (DOA), Anchorage, Alaska, confirmed                                                               
the  digital license  would be  associated with  an app.  He also                                                               
clarified  that  the  specific process  to  implement  the  bill,                                                               
should  it  pass,  had  not been  identified.  The  division  was                                                               
learning along  with the sponsor.  He acknowledged that  a number                                                               
of other  states were looking at  this concept, but there  was no                                                               
universal solution.                                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR  HOLLAND said  his assumption  was  that as  part of  the                                                               
process,  DMV would  have  the ability  to  deactivate a  digital                                                               
license that was suspended or revoked;  it would not be up to the                                                               
license holder.                                                                                                                 
                                                                                                                                
MR. SCHMITZ  restated that DMV  would need to establish  the full                                                               
process and  likely find a vender  to help. He said  the contract                                                               
with the  current driver's license  vender expires at the  end of                                                               
2023, and  it was DMV's  intention that the request  for proposal                                                               
(RFP)  and  procurement  process   for  the  new  vender  include                                                               
electronic proposals.                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR HOLLAND said he was  aware that some states already offer                                                               
this  option and  he  looked  forward to  it  being available  in                                                               
Alaska. However,  setting the fee  structure without  knowing the                                                               
process was a concern.                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                
3:56:02 PM                                                                                                                    
VICE CHAIR REINBOLD asked how  the digital driver's license would                                                               
affect or interact with Real ID.                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                
MR. SCHMITZ  replied that the  division would need to  study that                                                               
interaction. He  was aware  that multiple  states were  trying to                                                               
develop standards  that all states  could adopt and  Alaska could                                                               
join that conversation.                                                                                                         
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR REINBOLD  commented that there  were lots of  unknowns as                                                               
evidenced by  Section 7 that talks  about a number of  things the                                                               
division may  or shall do.  She also  asked if the  fee increases                                                               
were reasonable  and if the  division had any deep  concerns with                                                               
the bill.                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                
3:58:09 PM                                                                                                                    
MR. SCHHMITZ said DMV couldn't comment  on whether or not the fee                                                               
structure was reasonable. They had  not heard from the sponsor or                                                               
drafter about the basis for  selecting those fees. The division's                                                               
fiscal note, which  is in excess of $10  million, recognizes that                                                               
developing an electronic solution  would be an expensive endeavor                                                               
if the state were  to do it on its own. He  said the division has                                                               
a  neutral  position  on  the bill,  but  acknowledges  that  the                                                               
industry  is  moving in  this  direction.  Regardless, DMV  would                                                               
follow the legislature's direction.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
4:01:04 PM                                                                                                                    
SENATOR REINBOLD asked the sponsor if he had anything to add.                                                                   
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR KAWASAKI answered not at this point.                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                
MR. RELAY  stated that  the $50  fee in  Section 22  was selected                                                               
somewhat  arbitrarily  with  the  expectation that  it  would  be                                                               
adjusted as the bill goes through the process.                                                                                  
                                                                                                                                
SENATOR HOLLAND  said this is a  great idea and he  looks forward                                                               
to seeing what other states charge.                                                                                             
                                                                                                                                
4:02:25 PM                                                                                                                    
VICE  CHAIR  REINBOLD  held  SB   194  in  committee  for  future                                                               
consideration.                                                                                                                  

Document Name Date/Time Subjects
HB234 support 6 letters 4-4.pdf SSTA 4/7/2022 3:30:00 PM
HB 234
SB 57 Sponsor Statement.pdf SSTA 4/7/2022 3:30:00 PM
SB 57
SB 57 Sectional Analysis.pdf SSTA 4/7/2022 3:30:00 PM
SB 57
SB194.Sponsor.Statement.02.24.22.pdf SSTA 4/7/2022 3:30:00 PM
SB 194
SB194.Sectional.Analysis.02.24.22.pdf SSTA 4/7/2022 3:30:00 PM
SB 194
SB 205 Version G.PDF SSTA 4/7/2022 3:30:00 PM
SB 205
Sectional Analysis - DRAFT.pdf SSTA 4/7/2022 3:30:00 PM
SB 205
SB 205 Sponsor Statement.pdf SSTA 4/7/2022 3:30:00 PM
SB 205
TP_MVP_WV_CaseStudy.pdf SSTA 4/7/2022 3:30:00 PM
SB 205
MVP One-Pager 2022 (1).pdf SSTA 4/7/2022 3:30:00 PM
SB 205
MV_SecurityInfographic.pdf SSTA 4/7/2022 3:30:00 PM
SB 205
SB 57 Sponsor Statement.pdf SSTA 4/7/2022 3:30:00 PM
SB 57
SB 57 Sectional Analysis.pdf SSTA 4/7/2022 3:30:00 PM
SB 57
HB 234 version C Sponsor Statement.docx.pdf SSTA 4/7/2022 3:30:00 PM
HB 234
HB 234 version C, presentation.pdf SSTA 4/7/2022 3:30:00 PM
HB 234
HB 234 version C, Sectional Analysis.docx.pdf SSTA 4/7/2022 3:30:00 PM
HB 234
SB 215 Sponsor Statement 4.22.pdf SSTA 4/7/2022 3:30:00 PM
SB 215
SB 215 Sectional Analysis Version A 4.22.pdf SSTA 4/7/2022 3:30:00 PM
SB 215
6 LETTERS OF SUPPORT.pdf SSTA 4/7/2022 3:30:00 PM
SB 234