TAPE/#

Speaker

Comments

TAPE 34, A

003

Chair Gilman

Calls the meeting to order at 1:04 p.m. and opens a public hearing on HB 2575.

HB 2575 – PUBLIC HEARING

007

John Houser

Committee Administrator. Explains that HB 2575 is an “applied consent” law which provides that individuals signing up for a driver’s license, driver’s permit or identification card would be considered to have consented to registration for the Selective Service System.

016

Gary Lockwood

State Director, Oregon Selective Service. Testifies and submits written testimony and letters in support of HB 2575 (EXHIBIT A).

025

Rep. Jeff Kropf

House District 17. Testifies in support of HB 2575. Explains the history of selective service and the importance of registering. Discusses issues of fairness and equity and the consequences of not registering.   

080

Rep. Hunt

Asks about the rationale for “issuance or renewal.”

087

Lockwood

Explains that some licenses are issued at age 16 and people between the ages of 18 and 26 need to be reached.

092

Rep. Bruun

Asks how many men do not register for selective service.

095

Lockwood

Responds that approximately 70 percent register at age 18, 80 percent by age 20, and 90 percent by age 25. Reports on problems with obtaining citizenship and extending student aid if not registered by age 26. Notes effectiveness of online registration for high school students. Cites success in states that have adopted a similar program. Refers to map in EXHIBIT A showing the status of similar legislation in other states.

162

Rep. Boone

Asks if HB 2575 is a “draft.”

165

Lockwood

Answers no. Explains that HB 2575 is a furtherance of the federal requirement for registration by all males from ages 18 to 25. Continues that conscientious objector status is only available to those who are registered.

180

Rep. Boone

Indicates that wording in Paragraph 4 on the first page of EXHIBIT A referring to the order of call-up in the event of mobilization led her to believe this was a draft.

197

Lockwood

Explains the difference between the Vietnam-era draft and any future draft. Continues that there is a need for a method of supplying needed manpower in the event of mobilization.

208

Rep. Kropf

Describes the current federal law requiring males to register. Notes that the intent of HB 2575 is to get the 10 percent who don’t register to comply.

236

Ruth Bendl

Resident, Portland, Oregon. Testifies in support of HB 2575.

259

Andrea Meyer

Legislative Director, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Testifies and submits written testimony in opposition to HB 2575 (EXHIBIT B). Indicates that the ACLU believes HB 2575 is unconstitutional and infringes on an individual’s religious freedom.

315

Phillip Kennedy-Wong

Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon. Testifies and submits written testimony by Robert Castagna, Oregon Catholic Conference, in opposition to HB 2575 (EXHIBIT C). Comments that the Ecumenical Ministries share the views expressed in the written testimony.

360

Kennedy-Wong

Continues reading from EXHIBIT C. States that there is a difference between consent and legal requirement, and HB 2575 combines two different public activities.

388

Rep. Thatcher

Asks about the process for registering with the selective service.

392

Kennedy-Wong

Answers that forms can be obtained at the post office, or registration can be done online.

398

Rep. Thatcher

Inquires whether information on selective service registration could be provided at the time of license application

408

Kennedy-Wong

Reiterates the reasons for keeping the selective service registration and driver’s license processes separate.

TAPE 35, A

008

Rep. Bruun

Seeks clarification that HB 2575 does not apply to minors but only to those age 18 and above.

016

Lockwood

Refers to Lines 8 and 9 in HB 2575. Clarifies the age requirements for selective service registration.

027

Rep. Burley

Asks how one declares conscientious objector status.

031

Lockwood

Responds that since there has been no pending mobilization since 1980, there is no classification of conscientious objector. Claiming that status can only be done during times of mobilization. Explains the process.

082

Rep. Hunt

Inquires if individuals are giving consent at the time of driver’s license renewal.

088

Lockwood

Replies that those under 17 years, 11 months are not required to register. Advises of the consequences for an individual who has not registered in the event of mobilization.

118

Rep. Hunt

Asks if consent comes at age 18 when they already have a license or when they renew.

121

Lockwood

Answers that it is when the license is renewed.

128

Rep. Thatcher

Requests the percentage of compliance in Oregon.

130

Lockwood

Answers that among 18-year-old high school students, it is in the low-70s. Continues that about 2,500 men per year do not register.

146

Rep. Thatcher

Asks about changing registration from compulsory to optional.

149

Lockwood

Replies that he has no objection to the change, and notes that there are two states that have optional registration.

166

Chair Gilman

Closes the public hearing on HB 2575 and opens a public hearing on HB 2611 and HB 2947.

HB 2611 AND HB 2947 – PUBLIC HEARING

173

John Houser

Committee Administrator. Describes HB 2611 which requires an individual to submit a social security number to the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) when applying for issuance, renewal, replacement or reinstatement of a driver’s license, driver’s permit or identification card; and allows ODOT to provide by rule for acceptance of another number or identifying information. Explains that HB 2947 specifies the types of alternative information that can be submitted and includes a provision that would provide that a driver’s license, permit or identification card issued to a temporary resident would expire on the date the legal residency expires.

203

Lorna Youngs

Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Administrator, ODOT. Testifies and submits written testimony on HB 2611 (EXHIBIT D) and HB 2947 (EXHIBIT E). Provides background on what the agency does with social security numbers and their capability of verification. Advises that DMV does not verify social security numbers.

232

Youngs

Continues that DMV sees some value in the verification of social security numbers as it is important to have accurate information in the data base. States that a number of states participate in the Social Security Online Verification (SSOLV) system, an online process for social security number verification.

251

Youngs

Reports on a nationwide electronic verification system that is available through the U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for alien registration numbers. Points out that the only numbers that are immediately verifiable are social security and alien registration numbers. States that their fiscal impact is based on the assumption that verification is electronic and would be only social security numbers or alien registration numbers.

300

Youngs

Suggests looking at the Washington state process.

310

Rep. Jeff Kropf

House District 17. Testifies in support of HB 2947. Explains the importance of the integrity of the driver’s license process since 9/11.  Describes the work done in other states to increase the standards for obtaining a license.  

366

Rep. Kropf

Comments that Oregon needs to update its process. Advises implementation would be inexpensive. Informs that HR 418, which requires individuals to prove they are in this country lawfully, has been passed by the U. S. House of Representatives. 

TAPE 34, B

007

Rep. Thatcher

Notes that Nevada does not accept Oregon driver’s licenses.

013

Rep. Boone

Comments that DMV requests social security numbers. Asks if the issue is that they do not verify them.

016

Youngs

Answers yes. Continues that in the 2003 legislative session DMV was given the authority to collect social security numbers but no authority to verify.

019

Rep. Boone

Seeks clarification that HB 2611 provides that authority.

020

Youngs

Answers yes.

023

Rep. Kropf

Adds that it is his intent to insure electronic verification and establish the requirement of legal presence, as it is likely the federal government will require it.

032

Rep. Boone

Inquires about the three percent of individuals who do not provide a social security number but are still able to get a driver’s license.

035

Youngs

Replies that a 2003 statute allowed the alternative of a signed form that states the individual has no social security number.

045

Rep. Boone

Asks if HB 2947 addresses the three percent.

048

Youngs

Responds that HB 2947 has provisions for a birth certificate, a valid passport, or a document showing that an individual is a naturalized citizen or a legal resident. Adds that the meaning of “verification” is not clear, and there is not a system to verify passports or birth certificates.

066

Rep. Kropf

Declares that it is not his intent that a passport be verified, only the social security number. Explains the reason for using birth certificates and passports as acceptable identification. Reiterates the reasons for this legislation.

100

Rep. Thatcher

Asks about a visa that gives one legal status to work but the document is in the possession of the employer.

114

Rep. Kropf

Reasserts that it is not the intention to deny anyone who has followed the laws.

124

Rep. Burley

Seeks clarification that the intent is to verify only the social security number, not alien registration.

128

Rep. Kropf

Answers, correct. Offers to expand on the verbiage if the committee feels it is necessary.

135

Rep. Burley

Suggests that amendments may be necessary to require verification of social security numbers only.

143

Rep. Kropf

Concurs with Rep. Burley’s analysis and states support for amendments.

163

Michael Forest

Resident, Salem, Oregon. Testifies in support of HB 2947. Believes HB 2947 treats everyone equally and supports verification of all forms of identification. Questions use of identification cards.

210

Eduardo Angulo

Chairman, Salem-Keizer Coalition for Equality. Describes member organizations. Testifies in opposition to HB 2611 and HB 2947.

265

Angulo

Continues that licensing undocumented immigrants on the basis of reliable identity documents promotes national security and assists law enforcement authorities by identifying who is in this country.

312

Angulo

Refers to American Automotive Association Foundation for Traffic Safety report. 

318

Chair Gilman

Comments that his remarks sound like testimony provided at a recent hearing.

322

Angulo

Answers yes.

324

Chair Gilman

Requests summarization of testimony.

325

Angulo

Continues that there would be a significant impact on Oregon’s seasonal and service jobs. Argues that the legislation is bad for the Latino and immigrant communities.

344

Rep. Hunt

Asks for suggestions to address the issues raised and to strengthen current laws.

355

Angulo

Replies that he is a member of a task force formed by the DMV leadership. Indicates that identify theft is also prevalent in the Latino community.  

377

Rep. Thatcher

Asks if a Matricular Consular Card is given to anyone who requests one.

384

Angulo

Believes the Mexican Consulate checks with Mexico data bases.

395

Rep. Thatcher

Speculates that the Matricular Consular Card is easy to obtain. Inquires into the reason for reluctance to use the legal process to show legal presence.

TAPE 35, B

007

Angulo

Responds that Oregon DMV has made progress in preventing individuals from obtaining a fraudulent driver’s license.

020

Rep. Thatcher

States that there are one or two cases of fake documents per month, based on earlier testimony.

024

Chair Gilman

Asks if farm workers are required to have a social security number.

027

Youngs

Advises that Oregon does not require legal presence, so farm workers cannot get a social security number. Explains the coordination with the Oregon-Mexican consulate to verify documents written in Spanish.

070

Rev. Steven Witte

Executive Director, Oregon Farm Workers Ministry. Testifies and submits written testimony in opposition to HB 2611 and HB 2947 (EXHIBITS F AND G). Comments that HB 2611 and HB 2947 do nothing for homeland security.

102

Rev. Witte

Continues reading from written testimony.

111

Rev. Witte

Discusses the population in Oregon with questionable documentation status. Believes passage of HB 2611 and HB 2947 will foster another black market.

131

Rep. Thatcher

Asks if “undocumented worker” means those who are not here legally.

133

Rev. Witte

Answers yes.

136

Rep. Thatcher

Inquires if most of the people referred to in testimony are farm workers who are not here legally.

139

Rev. Witte

Responds that there is a percentage of them who are questionable.

165

Rep. Thatcher

Asks if there is assistance available through the ministries to help document workers to establish their presence legally.

173

Rev. Witte

Replies that his organization does not have the funding or resources to provide more help. Continues that they try to educate and enlighten people on the situation.

181

Rep. Burley

Refers to EXHIBIT F and inquires how the population would be criminalized.

185

Rev. Witte

Responds that a law is being passed requiring a particular document or certification which some individuals may be unable to obtain.

193

Rep. Burley

Comments that the only criminal act would be driving without a license. Continues that HB 2947 does not create criminals until that person makes a personal choice to drive without a license.

201

Rev. Witte

Asks how these people would get to work.

202

Rep. Burley

Answers, he doesn’t know.

215

Richard Hickey

Resident, Salem, Oregon. Testifies and submits written testimony in support of HB 2947 (EXHIBIT H). Highlights information from EXHIBIT H on undocumented workers and illegal aliens entering this country.

335

Hickey

Describes the process for obtaining approval to work in another country, which includes identification.

374

Hickey

Quotes from a recommendation in the 9/11 commission report that the federal government should set standards for sources of identification, including driver’s licenses.

390

Chair Gilman

Announces that HB 2611 and HB 2947 will be carried over to hear all the testimony.

405

Wayne Brady

Resident, Salem, Oregon. Testifies in support of HB 2947. Makes suggestions for the verification of a social security number.

420

Youngs

Explains that verification includes name, birth date, and social security number and that all information must match.

425

Brady

Asks if a driver’s license can be obtained without a physical residence.

430

Youngs

Responds that a physical description of an encampment can be used.

435

Brady

Inquires about the number in that category.

440

Chair Gilman

Suggests that Ms. Youngs and Mr. Brady continued their exchange outside of the public hearing.

450

Chair Gilman

Closes the public hearing on HB 2611 and HB 2947 and adjourns the meeting at 2:56 p.m.