Signed by Governor Asa Hutchinson

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes the issuance of a driver's license without a photograph in certain circumstances.

Highlights:

• Establishes that the examination fee concerning the issuance of a driver's license is to be remitted in a manner prescribed by the Secretary of the Department of Finance and Administration (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that a license is valid without a photograph of the licensee when the secretary is advised that the requirement of the photograph is either objectionable on the grounds of the licensee's sincerely held religious belief that prohibits an individual from having his or her photograph taken or the licensee is unavailable to have the photograph made (Sec. 1).

• Establishes that a license is to be issued without a photograph based on a licensee's sincerely held religious belief if the following occurs (Sec. 2):

• Licensee is 15 years of age or older; and

• Licensee or his or her parent or guardian provides a completed Internal Revenue Service Form 4029 or signs an affidavit attesting to his or her sincerely held religious belief that prohibits an individual from having his or her photograph taken.

• Specifies that a license issued under subdivision (b)(2)(B) of this section is not valid for the following (Sec. 2):

• Federal identification purposes; or

• Voter identification purposes.

• Establishes that the license will display on its face the phrase “not valid for federal identification purposes or voter identification purposes” (Sec. 2).

• Establishes that the Office of Driver Services may issue an identification card to those Arkansas residents 5 years of age or older who are not licensed drivers (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that the fee for the identification card is $5 (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that for persons under 60 years of age, the identification card is valid for either 4 years or 2 years, depending on the person's age, and is renewable upon expiration (Sec. 3).

• Establishes that for persons 14 years of age or older, the identification card is valid for 4 years from the date of issue (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that for persons 5 years of age to 13 years of age, the identification card is valid for 2 years from the date of issue, and a parent, legal guardian, grandparent, or sibling over 18 years of age must accompany the applicant to the issuing location and sign the electronic application (Sec. 3).

• Establishes that for persons issued an identification card under this subdivision (b)(1)(C), up to 3 identification cards may be issued at the request of a parent, legal guardian, grandparent, or sibling 18 years of age or older (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that the request for more than 1 identification card is to be made on the date the initial identification card is issued (Sec. 3).

• Establishes that persons who are 60 years of age or older who qualify for the identification card are to be issued the identification card to be valid for the life of the holder (Sec. 3).

• Establishes that except as provided in subsection (e) of this section, each identification card is to contain the following (Sec. 3):

• A color photograph of the applicant;

• A physical description of the applicant;

• The birthdate of the applicant;

• The address of the applicant;

• The date of issue; and

• The expiration date.

• Specifies that a person who applies for a card is required to show proof of identity (Sec. 3).

• Establishes that refusal of an applicant to show proof of identity is to result in denial of the application (Sec. 3).

• Specifies that an identification card is to be issued and is valid without a photograph based on an applicant's sincerely held religious belief if the following occurs (Sec. 3):

• The applicant is 15 years of age or older; and

• The applicant or his or her parent or guardian provides a completed Internal Revenue Service Form 4029 or signs an affidavit attesting to his or her sincerely held religious belief that prohibits an individual from having his or her photograph taken.

Full Bill Text