Washington State Legislation

Check regularly for co-sponsors and action on bills by going to Washinton State Bill Information. Type in the number of the bill or select from one of the options to search for a bill.

Driver's license bills: The Senate version of the bill (SB5407) would eliminate access to driver's licenses entirely while the House bill (HB1577) would create a two-tiered driver's license system, with those not being able to provide a social security number or other form of identification to prove they are in the country lawfully being provided a license that says "Not valid for identification purposes."
Key Messages

• Efforts to restrict access to driver's licenses undermine public safety and will increase the number of unlicensed and uninsured drivers on the road, making our roads more dangerous for everyone.
• These bills represent yet another attack on immigrant taxpayers who have been disproportionately impacted by proposed budget cuts and other enforcement-only bills. In one year, Washington State has gone from a leader on immigration to a hostile environment for immigrants and their families.
• The Department of Licensing already requires proof of residency for driver's without social security numbers, so the bills will not have an impact on access for out-of-state drivers.
• (FOR HOUSE BILL ONLY) Undocumented immigrants will not get licenses in the two-tiered system proposed by these bills because they clearly identify immigrants' status and place a target on their backs for additional harassment. This is particularly true now, since a recent raid in Ellensburg has sent fear through Washington's immigrant communities.
  For more info, visit the National Immigration Law Center's Driver's License website.

HB 1272 - Requires the Employment Security Department to act as an immigration enforcement agency by verifying that workers referred to employers are authorized to work in the United States. By Reps. Chandler and Condotta
Read the bill.

WA Drivers Licenses in the Media:

Manuel Valdes,"Immigration, license bill voted down in state Senate," Associated Press, March 7, 2011, Read the Article

Manuel Valdes,"WA State steps further into immigration issues," Associated Press, January 29, 2011, http://www.mynorthwest.com/?nid=174&sid=418491

Lornet Turnbull, "Bills would prevent illegal immigrants from getting state licenses," Seattle Times, January 26, 2011, http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014048925_licenses.html

Link to Senate SB5407 hearing audio - Thurs., Feb. 3, 2011 http://www.tvw.org/search/siteSearch.cfm?EvntType=C&keywords=Senate%20Transportation&date=2011&bhcp=1

Washington Legislative Contact Information Website