Existing law requires a California drivers license held by a person who enters or is in the United States Armed Forces to continue in full force and effect, so long as, among other things, the service continues and the person remains absent from this state, and for a period not to exceed 30 days following the date the holder of the license is honorably separated from service or returns to this state. Existing law extends this benefit to a spouse of that person, as specified.

This bill would also extend that benefit to a person who enters or is in the United States Foreign Service, or the spouse of a person who enters or is in the United States Foreign Service, subject to similar conditions, for a period not to exceed 30 days following the date the holder of the license returns to this state.

 UNFINISHED BUSINESS  

Bill No: SB 267

Author: Wieckowski (D)

Amended: 6/19/19

Vote: 21

SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE: 12-0, 4/23/19

AYES: Beall, Bates, Dodd, Galgiani, McGuire, Morrell, Roth, Rubio, Skinner, Stone, Umberg, Wieckowski

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: Senate Rule 28.8

SENATE FLOOR: 38-0, 5/9/19 (Consent)

AYES: Allen, Archuleta, Atkins, Bates, Beall, Borgeas, Bradford, Caballero, Chang, Dodd, Durazo, Galgiani, Glazer, Grove, Hertzberg, Hill, Hueso, Hurtado, Jackson, Jones, Leyva, McGuire, Mitchell, Monning, Moorlach, Morrell, Nielsen, Pan, Portantino, Roth, Rubio, Skinner, Stern, Stone, Umberg, Wieckowski, Wiener, Wilk

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 77-0, 9/3/19 - See last page for vote

SUBJECT: Driver’s licenses: United States Foreign Service

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This bill allows a driver's license of a person enlisted in the United States Foreign Service (Foreign Service) and their spouse to remain valid for the entire period the Foreign Service employee remains out of the state, as specified.

Assembly Amendments add a Foreign Service employee’s spouse to the eligibility provisions specified in this bill.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Requires a California driver’s license held by a person who is in the United States Armed Forces to continue in full force and effect if the person’s service continues while absent from the state and for a period of no more than 30 days following the date the person is honorably separated from service or returns to the state.
2. Extends the abovementioned benefit to a spouse of a person in the Armed Forces, as specified.

This bill:

1. Permits a driver's license of a person enlisted in the Foreign Service to remain valid for the entire period a person remains out of the state if the person is active in the Foreign Service for the entire period.
2. Provides that a driver's license of a person enlisted in the Foreign Service is to remain valid for no more than 30 days from the time the holder is honorably separated from service or returns to California.
3. Provides that a Foreign Service employee’s spouse is subject to abovementioned eligibility provisions, as specified.

Comments

1. Author statement. According to the author, “The United States Foreign Service is dedicated to diplomatically representing the United States’ interests abroad. Foreign Service Officers serve in more than 270 embassies, consulates and other diplomatic missions providing assistance and protection for American citizens who are living or traveling around the world. A Foreign Service Officer’s tour lasts two to three years per assignment. It is required for them to take part in certain driving courses by the State Department and necessary for an officer to have a driver’s license if driving in the country they are stationed.

“The California DMV offers a limited number of times someone can renew their driver’s license online, after this it has to be done in person. Unless a Foreign Service Officer can be in the state during the few months before their renewal date, their only other option is a onetime one year extension. California currently provides those in the Armed Forces, and their spouses, with an extension on their driver’s licenses until they return to the state. Foreign Service Officers serve our country abroad and commonly work in conjunction with our Armed Forces it makes sense to provide them with a similar extension until they are able to return to the state.”

1. Alignment with Armed Service personnel. Currently, the state allows for armed service officers and their spouses to extend the expiration of their driver's licenses while the officer is actively serving outside of California. When a licensed driver on active military duty applies to DMV to extend the validity of their license past its expiration date, DMV requests that applicant provide a copy of their orders or a copy of their military identification card. Once this documentation is received, DMV provides the applicant with documentation that explains to traffic officers in other jurisdictions that under California law this person’s license remains valid during the period of their military service out of state and for 30 days after discharge, during which time the driver must also provide a copy of their discharge papers with the license to make it valid.

DMV reports that as of December 2018, the department processed 1,895 driver license extensions in 2018 for members of the United States Armed Forces and their spouses.

Similarly, Foreign Service Officers may be ordered to serve in countries anywhere around the world for extended periods of time. This bill aims to provide the same opportunities to Foreign Service Officers and their spouses that are offered to Armed Service Officers and their spouses that are activated throughout the country and beyond.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No

According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, there would be negligible state costs.

SUPPORT: (Verified 9/3/19)

One individual

OPPOSITION: (Verified 9/3/19)

None received

ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 77-0, 9/3/19

AYES: Aguiar-Curry, Arambula, Bauer-Kahan, Berman, Bigelow, Bloom, Boerner Horvath, Bonta, Brough, Burke, Calderon, Carrillo, Cervantes, Chau, Chen, Chiu, Choi, Chu, Cooley, Cooper, Cunningham, Daly, Diep, Eggman, Flora, Fong, Friedman, Gabriel, Gallagher, Cristina Garcia, Gipson, Gloria, Gonzalez, Gray, Grayson, Holden, Irwin, Jones-Sawyer, Kalra, Kamlager-Dove, Kiley, Lackey, Levine, Limón, Low, Maienschein, Mathis, Mayes, McCarty, Medina, Melendez, Mullin, Muratsuchi, Nazarian, Obernolte, O'Donnell, Patterson, Petrie-Norris, Quirk, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Reyes, Luz Rivas, Robert Rivas, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Salas, Santiago, Smith, Mark Stone, Ting, Voepel, Waldron, Weber, Wicks, Wood, Rendon

NO VOTE RECORDED: Frazier, Eduardo Garcia

Prepared by: Manny Leon / TRANS. / (916) 651-4121

9/3/19 18:13:28

**** END ****

SENATE THIRD READING

STR Bill Id:SB 267

Author:(Wieckowski)

As Amended Ver:June 19, 2019

Majority vote

SUMMARY:

Specifies that a driver's license of a person enlisted in the United States Foreign Service or the license of their spouse remains valid for the entire period a person remains out of the state, and for 30 days after they return.

Major Provisions

Specifies that a driver's license of a person enlisted in the United States Foreign Service or the license of their spouse remains valid for the entire period a person remains out of the country, and for 30 days after they return to the state, so long as:

1. The license has not been suspended, canceled or revoked for cause as provided by law.
2. The licensee is in their possession of their active service papers or their spouse's active service papers.

COMMENTS:

Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution of the United States authorizes the President to appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, Ambassadors, other Public Ministers, and consuls. According to the Office of the Historian within the Department of State, the Diplomatic Service staffed United States (U.S.) Legations and Embassies, and the Consular Service from 1789 until 1924. After World War I ended, the United States Congress sought to have a fully professional and democratic Foreign Service. United States Representative Rogers led a congressional campaign to professionalize the United States Diplomatic Corps. The Rogers Act, signed into law in 1924, established the Foreign Service we know today by establishing a career organization based on competitive examination and merit promotion. The Diplomatic and Consular Services were unified into one organization, the "Foreign Service of the United States of America."

Today there are 13,770 Foreign Service employees and 10,023 civil service employees, with over 9,000 employees serving at 276 posts overseas. According to the State Department, "The mission of a U.S. diplomat in the Foreign Service is to promote peace, support prosperity, and protect American Citizens while advancing the interests of the U.S. abroad." Newly trained service officers typically serve two tours overseas, around two years each.

Except in limited circumstances, a California driver's license and identification (ID) card expire every five years. A license may be renewed by mail twice, with the third renewal having to be in person at a Department of Motor Vehicles field office. Someone wishing to obtain a REAL ID must renew or obtain a new license in a field office the first time they get a license or ID card, regardless of whether or not they have the option to renew by mail.

Serving overseas can make it difficult for an individual to renew their license, especially if they have to renew it in person. Since the 1940s, members of the United States Armed Forces have been granted an exemption to this rule, allowing them to maintain a valid license regardless of its expiration date for the duration of their overseas tours and for 30 days after their return, so long as they were honorably separated and are in possession of their discharge or separation papers. In 2012, with the passage of SB 720 (Runner), Chapter 154, this same benefit was extended to the spouses of the members of the Armed Forces so long as they also went overseas and are carrying a copy of their spouse's discharge or separation papers.

According to a document provided to the committee from the State Department, an expired driver's license can cause issues for a Foreign Service officer. For example, having an expired license may prevent someone from obtaining their diplomatic license from their host country, or prevent them from driving in their host country if the country permits them to drive using a U.S. driver's license.

This bill would permit a member of the Foreign Service or their spouse to maintain a valid driver's license, regardless of the expiration date, for the length of time they remain outside the state and for 30 days after they return.

According to the Author:

The United States Foreign Service is dedicated to diplomatically representing the United States' interests abroad with Foreign Service Officers serving in more than 270 embassies, consulates and on other diplomatic missions where they provide assistance and protection for American citizens who are living or traveling around the world. Foreign Service Officers are required to designate a state of residence where they will pay taxes, vote, own property, and where the Department of State will transport them, their family and possessions when they leave service. It makes sense that the driver's license extension California provides to those in the Armed Forces, and their spouses, to relieve that burden while serving out of state is provided to Foreign Service Officers who serve around the world and also call California home.

Arguments in Support:

None

Arguments in Opposition:

None

FISCAL COMMENTS:

According to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, negligible state costs.

VOTES:

SENATE FLOOR: 38-0-0

YES: Allen, Archuleta, Atkins, Bates, Beall, Borgeas, Bradford, Caballero, Chang, Dodd, Durazo, Galgiani, Glazer, Grove, Hertzberg, Hill, Hueso, Hurtado, Jackson, Jones, Leyva, McGuire, Mitchell, Monning, Moorlach, Morrell, Nielsen, Pan, Portantino, Roth, Rubio, Skinner, Stern, Stone, Umberg, Wieckowski, Wiener, Wilk

ASM TRANSPORTATION: 15-0-0

YES: Frazier, Fong, Aguiar-Curry, Berman, Bigelow, Chu, Cunningham, Daly, Diep, Friedman, Gipson, Grayson, Medina, Nazarian, O'Donnell

ASM APPROPRIATIONS: 18-0-0

YES: Gonzalez, Bigelow, Bloom, Bonta, Brough, Calderon, Carrillo, Chau, Diep, Eggman, Fong, Gabriel, Eduardo Garcia, Maienschein, Obernolte, Petrie-Norris, Quirk, Robert Rivas

UPDATED:

VERSION: June 19, 2019

CONSULTANT: David Sforza / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093 FN: 0001379

Date of Hearing: August 14, 2019

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Lorena Gonzalez, Chair

SBPCA Bill Id:SB 267

Author:(Wieckowski) – As Amended Ver:June 19, 2019

Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: No Reimbursable: No

SUMMARY:

This bill continues in force the driver license (DL) of a person who enters the United States Foreign Service so long as the service continues and the person remains absent from the state, and for a period of no more than 30 days following the person’s return to the state. The bill also makes similar provisions applicable to the spouse of a person described above.

FISCAL EFFECT:

Negligible state costs.

COMMENTS:

Background and Purpose. Existing law allows a California driver license held by a person who is in the United States armed forces, or the person’s spouse, to continue in full force and effect if the person’s service continues while the person is absent from the state and for a period of no more than 30 days following the date the person is honorably separated from service or returns to the state. This is allowance is to make life less worrisome and difficult for those who are overseas in service of the nation. This bill applies the same allowance to a person serving in the United States Foreign Service, and such person’s spouse. According to the author:

The United States Foreign Service is dedicated to diplomatically representing the United States’ interests abroad with Foreign Service Officers serving in more than 270 embassies, consulates and on other diplomatic missions where they provide assistance and protection for American citizens who are living or traveling around the world. Foreign Service Officers are required to designate a state of residence where they will pay taxes, vote, own property, and where the Department of State will transport them, their family and possessions when they leave service. It makes sense that the driver’s license extension California provides to those in the Armed Forces, and their spouses, to relieve that burden while serving out of state is provided to Foreign Service Officers who serve around the world and also call California home.”

Analysis Prepared by: Jay Dickenson / APPR. / (916) 319-2081

Date of Hearing: July 1, 2019

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Jim Frazier, Chair

SBPCA Bill Id:SB 267

Author:(Wieckowski) – As Amended Ver:June 19, 2019

SENATE VOTE: 38-0

SUBJECT: Driver’s licenses: United States Foreign Service

SUMMARY: Specifies that a driver’s license of a person enlisted in the United States Foreign Service or the license of their spouse remains valid for the entire period a person remains out of the state, and for 30 days after they return. Specifically, this bill:

1. Specifies that a driver’s license of a person enlisted in the United States Foreign Service or the license of their spouse remains valid for the entire period a person remains out of the country, and for 30 days after they return to the state, so long as:
2. The license has not been suspended, canceled or revoked for cause as provided by law.
3. The licensee is in their possession of their active service papers or their spouse’s active service papers.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Requires a valid driver’s license to drive a motor vehicle on a highway, street, or off-street parking facility.
2. Provides that a driver’s license is valid for a period of five years at which time the driver must apply to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for a renewal.
3. Provides that an individual may renew their license by mail or online twice before having to come back into a field office, except under certain circumstances.
4. Permits a California driver’s license held by a person who is in the United States Armed Forces or their spouse to continue in full force and effect if the person’s service continues while absent from the state and for a period of no more than 30 days following the date the person is honorably separated from service or returns to the state.

FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8, negligible state costs.

COMMENTS: Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution of the United States authorizes the President to appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, Ambassadors, other Public Ministers, and consuls. According to the Office of the Historian within the Department of State, the Diplomatic Service staffed U.S. Legations and Embassies, and the Consular Service from 1789 until 1924. After World War I ended, the United States Congress sought to have a fully professional and democratic Foreign Service. United States Representative Rogers led a congressional campaign to professionalize the United States Diplomatic Corps. The Rogers Act, signed into law in 1924, established the Foreign Service we know today by establishing a career organization based on competitive examination and merit promotion. The Diplomatic and Consular Services were unified into one organization, the “Foreign Service of the United States of America.”

Today there are 13,770 Foreign Service employees and 10,023 civil service employees, with over 9,000 employees serving at 276 posts overseas. According to the State Department, “The mission of a U.S. diplomat in the Foreign Service is to promote peace, support prosperity, and protect American Citizens while advancing the interests of the U.S. abroad.” Newly trained service officers typically serve two tours overseas, around two years each.

Except in limited circumstances, a California driver’s license and ID card expire every five years. A license may be renewed by mail twice, with the third renewal having to be in person at a DMV field office. Someone wishing to obtain a REAL ID must renew or obtain a new license in a field office the first time they get a license or ID card, regardless of whether or not they have the option to renew by mail.

Serving overseas can make it difficult for an individual to renew their license, especially if they have to renew it in person. Since the 1940s, members of the United States Armed Forces have been granted an exemption to this rule, allowing them to maintain a valid license regardless of its expiration date for the duration of their overseas tours and for 30 days after their return, so long as they were honorably separated and are in possession of their discharge or separation papers. In 2012, with the passage of SB 720 (Runner), Chapter 154, this same benefit was extended to the spouses of the members of the Armed Forces so long as they also went overseas and are carrying a copy of their spouse’s discharge or separation papers.

According to a document provided to the committee from the State Department, an expired driver’s license can cause issues for a Foreign Service officer. For example, having an expired license may prevent someone from obtaining their diplomatic license from their host country, or prevent them from driving in their host country if the country permits them to drive using a U.S. driver’s license.

This bill would permit a member of the Foreign Service or their spouse to maintain a valid driver’s license, regardless of the expiration date, for the length of time they remain outside the state and for 30 days after they return.

According to the author, “The United States Foreign Service is dedicated to diplomatically representing the United States’ interests abroad with Foreign Service Officers serving in more than 270 embassies, consulates and on other diplomatic missions where they provide assistance and protection for American citizens who are living or traveling around the world. Foreign Service Officers are required to designate a state of residence where they will pay taxes, vote, own property, and where the Department of State will transport them, their family and possessions when they leave service. It makes sense that the driver’s license extension California provides to those in the Armed Forces, and their spouses, to relieve that burden while serving out of state is provided to Foreign Service Officers who serve around the world and also call California home.”

Previous Legislation: SB 720 (Runner), Chapter 154, Statutes of 2011, extended the deadline for the spouses of military personnel to renew their driver's licenses if they are out of state due to military service.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

One individual

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: David Sforza / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093

Date of Hearing: July 1, 2019

ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Jim Frazier, Chair

SBPCA Bill Id:SB 267

Author:(Wieckowski) – As Amended Ver:June 19, 2019

SENATE VOTE: 38-0

SUBJECT: Driver’s licenses: United States Foreign Service

SUMMARY: Specifies that a driver’s license of a person enlisted in the United States Foreign Service or the license of their spouse remains valid for the entire period a person remains out of the state, and for 30 days after they return. Specifically, this bill:

1. Specifies that a driver’s license of a person enlisted in the United States Foreign Service or the license of their spouse remains valid for the entire period a person remains out of the country, and for 30 days after they return to the state, so long as:
2. The license has not been suspended, canceled or revoked for cause as provided by law.
3. The licensee is in their possession of their active service papers or their spouse’s active service papers.

EXISTING LAW:

1. Requires a valid driver’s license to drive a motor vehicle on a highway, street, or off-street parking facility.
2. Provides that a driver’s license is valid for a period of five years at which time the driver must apply to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for a renewal.
3. Provides that an individual may renew their license by mail or online twice before having to come back into a field office, except under certain circumstances.
4. Permits a California driver’s license held by a person who is in the United States Armed Forces or their spouse to continue in full force and effect if the person’s service continues while absent from the state and for a period of no more than 30 days following the date the person is honorably separated from service or returns to the state.

FISCAL EFFECT: According to the Senate Appropriations Committee, pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8, negligible state costs.

COMMENTS: Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution of the United States authorizes the President to appoint, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, Ambassadors, other Public Ministers, and consuls. According to the Office of the Historian within the Department of State, the Diplomatic Service staffed U.S. Legations and Embassies, and the Consular Service from 1789 until 1924. After World War I ended, the United States Congress sought to have a fully professional and democratic Foreign Service. United States Representative Rogers led a congressional campaign to professionalize the United States Diplomatic Corps. The Rogers Act, signed into law in 1924, established the Foreign Service we know today by establishing a career organization based on competitive examination and merit promotion. The Diplomatic and Consular Services were unified into one organization, the “Foreign Service of the United States of America.”

Today there are 13,770 Foreign Service employees and 10,023 civil service employees, with over 9,000 employees serving at 276 posts overseas. According to the State Department, “The mission of a U.S. diplomat in the Foreign Service is to promote peace, support prosperity, and protect American Citizens while advancing the interests of the U.S. abroad.” Newly trained service officers typically serve two tours overseas, around two years each.

Except in limited circumstances, a California driver’s license and ID card expire every five years. A license may be renewed by mail twice, with the third renewal having to be in person at a DMV field office. Someone wishing to obtain a REAL ID must renew or obtain a new license in a field office the first time they get a license or ID card, regardless of whether or not they have the option to renew by mail.

Serving overseas can make it difficult for an individual to renew their license, especially if they have to renew it in person. Since the 1940s, members of the United States Armed Forces have been granted an exemption to this rule, allowing them to maintain a valid license regardless of its expiration date for the duration of their overseas tours and for 30 days after their return, so long as they were honorably separated and are in possession of their discharge or separation papers. In 2012, with the passage of SB 720 (Runner), Chapter 154, this same benefit was extended to the spouses of the members of the Armed Forces so long as they also went overseas and are carrying a copy of their spouse’s discharge or separation papers.

According to a document provided to the committee from the State Department, an expired driver’s license can cause issues for a Foreign Service officer. For example, having an expired license may prevent someone from obtaining their diplomatic license from their host country, or prevent them from driving in their host country if the country permits them to drive using a U.S. driver’s license.

This bill would permit a member of the Foreign Service or their spouse to maintain a valid driver’s license, regardless of the expiration date, for the length of time they remain outside the state and for 30 days after they return.

According to the author, “The United States Foreign Service is dedicated to diplomatically representing the United States’ interests abroad with Foreign Service Officers serving in more than 270 embassies, consulates and on other diplomatic missions where they provide assistance and protection for American citizens who are living or traveling around the world. Foreign Service Officers are required to designate a state of residence where they will pay taxes, vote, own property, and where the Department of State will transport them, their family and possessions when they leave service. It makes sense that the driver’s license extension California provides to those in the Armed Forces, and their spouses, to relieve that burden while serving out of state is provided to Foreign Service Officers who serve around the world and also call California home.”

Previous Legislation: SB 720 (Runner), Chapter 154, Statutes of 2011, extended the deadline for the spouses of military personnel to renew their driver's licenses if they are out of state due to military service.

REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:

Support

One individual

Opposition

None on file

Analysis Prepared by: David Sforza / TRANS. / (916) 319-2093

 CONSENT  

Bill No: SB 267

Author: Wieckowski (D)

Introduced: 2/12/19

Vote: 21

SENATE TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE: 12-0, 4/23/19

AYES: Beall, Bates, Dodd, Galgiani, McGuire, Morrell, Roth, Rubio, Skinner, Stone, Umberg, Wieckowski

SENATE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE: Senate Rule 28.8

SUBJECT: Driver’s licenses: United States Foreign Service

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST:

This bill allows a driver's license of a person enlisted in the United States Foreign Service to remain valid for the entire period a person remains out of the state, as specified.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Requires a California driver’s license held by a person who is in the United States Armed Forces to continue in full force and effect if the person’s service continues while absent from the state and for a period of no more than 30 days following the date the person is honorably separated from service or returns to the state.
2. Extends the abovementioned benefit to a spouse of a person in the Armed Forces, as specified.

This bill:

1. Permits a driver's license of a person enlisted in the United States Foreign Service to remain valid for the entire period a person remains out of the state if the person is active in the Foreign Service for the entire period.
2. Provides that a driver's license of a person enlisted in the United States Foreign Service is to remain valid for no more than 30 days from the time the holder is honorably separated from service or returns to California.

Comments

1. Author statement. According to the author, “The United States Foreign Service is dedicated to diplomatically representing the United States’ interests abroad. Foreign Service Officers serve in more than 270 embassies, consulates and other diplomatic missions providing assistance and protection for American citizens who are living or traveling around the world. A Foreign Service Officer’s tour lasts two to three years per assignment. It is required for them to take part in certain driving courses by the State Department and necessary for an officer to have a driver’s license if driving in the country they are stationed.

“The California DMV offers a limited number of times someone can renew their driver’s license online, after this it has to be done in person. Unless a Foreign Service Officer can be in the state during the few months before their renewal date, their only other option is a onetime one year extension. California currently provides those in the Armed Forces, and their spouses, with an extension on their driver’s licenses until they return to the state. Foreign Service Officers serve our country abroad and commonly work in conjunction with our Armed Forces it makes sense to provide them with a similar extension until they are able to return to the state.”

1. Alignment with armed service personnel. Currently, the state allows for armed service officers and their spouses to extend the expiration of their driver's licenses while the officer is actively serving outside of California. When a licensed driver on active military duty applies to DMV to extend the validity of their license past its expiration date, DMV requests that applicant provide a copy of their orders or a copy of their military identification card. Once this documentation is received, DMV provides the applicant with documentation that explains to traffic officers in other jurisdictions that under California law this person’s license remains valid during the period of their military service out of state and for 30 days after discharge, during which time the driver must also provide a copy of their discharge papers with the license to make it valid.

DMV reports that as of December 2018, the Department processed 1,895 driver license extensions in 2018 for members of the United States Armed Forces and their spouses.

Similarly, Foreign Service Officers may be ordered to serve in countries anywhere around the world for extended periods of time. This bill aims to provide the same opportunities to Foreign Service Officers that are offered to Armed Service Officers and their spouses that are activated throughout the country and beyond.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 5/7/19)

One individual

OPPOSITION: (Verified 5/7/19)

None received

Prepared by: Manny Leon / TRANS. / (916) 651-4121

5/8/19 15:24:19

**** END ****

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Senator Jim Beall, Chair

2019 - 2020 Regular

Bill No: SB 267 Hearing Date: 4/23/2019

SUBJECT: Driver’s licenses: United States Foreign Service.

DIGEST: This bill allows a driver's license of a person enlisted in the United States Foreign Service to remain valid for the entire period a person remains out of the state, as specified.

ANALYSIS:

Existing law:

1. Requires a California driver’s license held by a person who is in the United States Armed Forces to continue in full force and effect if the person’s service continues while absent from the state and for a period of no more than 30 days following the date the person is honorably separated from service or returns to the state.
2. Further extends the abovementioned benefit to a spouse of a person in the Armed Forces, as specified.

This bill:

1. Permits a driver's license of a person enlisted in the United States Foreign Service to remain valid for the entire period a person remains out of the state if the person is active in the Foreign Service for the entire period.
2. Provides that a driver's license of a person enlisted in the United States Foreign Service is to remain valid for no more than 30 days from the time the holder is honorably separated from service or returns to California.

COMMENTS:

1. Author statement. According to the author, “The United States Foreign Service is dedicated to diplomatically representing the United States’ interests abroad. Foreign Service Officers serve in more than 270 embassies, consulates and other diplomatic missions providing assistance and protection for American citizens who are living or traveling around the world. A Foreign Service Officer’s tour lasts two to three years per assignment. It is required for them to take part in certain driving courses by the State Department and necessary for an officer to have a driver’s license if driving in the country they are stationed.

The California DMV offers a limited number of times someone can renew their driver’s license online, after this it has to be done in person. Unless a Foreign Service Officer can be in the state during the few months before their renewal date, their only other option is a onetime one year extension. California currently provides those in the Armed Forces, and their spouses, with an extension on their driver’s licenses until they return to the state. Foreign Service Officers serve our country abroad and commonly work in conjunction with our Armed Forces it makes sense to provide them with a similar extension until they are able to return to the state.”

1. Alignment with Armed Service personnel. Currently, the State allows for armed service officers and their spouses to extend the expiration of their driver's licenses while the officer is actively serving outside of California. When a licensed driver on active military duty applies to DMV to extend the validity of their license past its expiration date, DMV requests that applicant provide a copy of their orders or a copy of their military identification card. Once this documentation is received, DMV provides the applicant with documentation that explains to traffic officers in other jurisdictions that under California law this person’s license remains valid during the period of their military service out of state and for 30 days after discharge, during which time the driver must also provide a copy of their discharge papers with the license to make it valid.

DMV reports that as of December 2018, the department processed 1,895 driver license extensions in 2018 for members of the United States Armed Forces and their spouses.

Similarly, Foreign Service Officers may be ordered to serve in countries anywhere around the world for extended periods of time. This bill aims to provide the same opportunities to Foreign Service Officers that are offered to Armed Service Officers and their spouses that are activated throughout the country and beyond.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: Yes Local: No

POSITIONS: (Communicated to the committee before noon on Wednesday,

April 17, 2019.)

SUPPORT:

1 individual

OPPOSITION:

None received.

-- END --