HB 3-REQUIREMENTS FOR DRIVER'S LICENSE  9:58:03 AM CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI announced that the next bill before the committee would be HB 3, which would allow DMV to issue a driver's license that expires in less than five years. It would require anyone staying in the country "indefinitely" to renew their driver's license annually. The committee heard the bill last year and received considerable public testimony in opposition to the bill, but wanted to give the sponsor a second opportunity to make his case for the bill. REPRESENTATIVE BOB LYNN, sponsor of HB 3, thanked the committee for hearing the bill for the second time. It would allow DMV to issue a driver's license that expires in less than five years, so that a visitor's driver's license would expire at the same time their visa expires. He related that HB 3 reflects what is considered to be best practice by the American Association of Motor Vehicles Administrators. It puts Alaska in line with 30 other states, plus the District of Columbia. Alaska's DMV already requires a new applicant for a driver's license to prove their legal presence. 10:00:17 AM JEFFERY MITTMAN, American Civil Liberties Union of Alaska, testified in opposition to HB 3. He noted he has submitted written testimony. He voiced concern about non-citizen residents who may have an indefinite stay in the U.S. not being treated the same as those who live here. The DMV has certain responsibilities such as making sure drivers know the rules of the road and can drive safely. The driver's license is not intended to be an immigration document. He spoke of the rights of the federal government to regulate immigration, not the states. He also spoke of potential racial profiling during the process of determining who may be asked for proof of the right to be present in the state. 10:03:10 AM DEAN WAUSON, Supervisory Special Agent, Office of Homeland Security, testified in favor of HB 3. He maintained that the driver's license as proposed in the bill does not abrogate federal requirements. Current licensing requires proof of citizenship and immigration documents. The most pressing issue is the last part of the bill that indicates that the license should be authorized for the length of stay of the individual. He voiced concern about the use of a license for identification purposes. He gave an example of an individual from Pakistan who held an Alaskan driver's license for five years, yet he was illegally present in the U.S. for seven years. He shared information about increased calls in September and in October when J-1 visas expire and non-immigrants try to obtain an Alaska driver's license. He agreed with the sponsor and noted that 30 other states have this type of legislation. 10:07:42 AM CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI closed public testimony. REPRESENTATIVE LYNN shared his experience when traveling and using a visa. MICHAEL SICA, staff to Representative Bob Lynn, commented on Mr. Mittman's contribution to the discussion. He pointed out that all the players had been contacted regarding the bill. CHAIR WIELECHOWSKI stated his intent to hold HB 3 in committee.