| Phil Agre on Thu, 2 Jul 1998 08:59:39 +0200 (MET DST) |
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| <nettime> linking drivers' licenses with social security numbers |
[[fwd...fwd...fwd...Most recently to (or or from) Phil Agre's Red Rock
Eater news service. The image of the ice-water-drinking, bubble-gum-
chewing, rugged cowboy philosopher (or philosophizing cowboy) is all
too familiar on nettime, where kicking the shit out of perceived in-
stances of this caricature has sometimes been a Euro-hobby of a sort
that would never have been tolerated were it an infra-European hobby
let alone a matter of Americans indulging themselves. Anyway...below
we have an American talking to Americans about and American problem.
Not. Perhaps some smart nettimers would like to take up questions of
bureaucracies run amok, of lawyerly lists in which every conceivable
aspect of life is accounted for, of how recent turns in American so-
ciety might be incorporated elswewhere, of how the dynamics of Euro-
integration compare with the reorganization of governance in the US,
of the ethical problems that technical possibilities pose for people
far too comfy to oppositional politics to advance affirmative ideas.
So many questions, so much silence, such a shame. It's getting to be
like the Pisney Channel around here, a consumptive ghost town... -T]
[This issue of computer privacy digest includes (what is represented as)
the Federal Register entry for the US Department of Transportation proposal
to correlate social security numbers with drivers' licenses nationwide.
This is very significant. Drivers' licenses are the de facto identification
card for many purposes in the US, and social security numbers are the de
facto personal identification number for many other purposes. Connecting
the two in a standardized way effectively creates a national identity card.
Whether this is really the upshot of the proposal depends on several fine
points of how it is implemented, for example whether anyone who "swipes"
the drivers' license will be able to obtain the social security number,
or whether the connection between the license and SSN is just held in the
DMV database, or what. The ostensible purpose of these proposed rules is
to implement a recent federal law aimed at preventing illegal aliens from
obtaining government benefits; if the drivers' license is the starting point
for building an identity for purposes of obtaining those benefits, then from
a certain standpoint it makes sense to check whether people attempting to
obtain drivers' licenses are in the country legally. The problem, though,
is that the privacy of 250 million people is being put at risk in order to
prevent a vastly smaller number of people from potentially getting benefits.
This is a common pattern: Congress enacts sweeping reporting requirements
that affect every individual in the country, or (more often) every business
in order to solve a problem that arises with only a relative handful of
individuals. Historically this problem has been a matter of regulation
enacted by Democratic Congresses and complained about by business. Nowadays
the very same problem arises with attempts by Republican Congres to regulate
various perceived social enemies (people on welfare, immigrants, and so on).
Although I feel that business complaints about regulation are frequently
overblown, I do agree that the vast hodgepodge of reporting requirements is
out of control. This becomes a privacy matter when the requirements pertain
to personal information that businesses or government agencies obtain for
other purposes. Although these requirements are imposed in a haphazard way,
the big picture is that we are headed rapidly toward a national ID system
of a sort that does not fit with American culture. The United States is
relatively unusual among industrial countries in not having a centralized
identity system. Instead it has had a decentralized system in which many
different organizations maintain their own identity systems for their own
purposes, with some of those systems depending partly on others. Such a
decentralized system is entirely workable if it is done well, and we should
not allow concerns about welfare fraud etc to lead us unnecessarily into a
fundamental, covert change in our national practices of identifying people.
If we do make such a change then it will become nearly impossible to avoid
the next step: linking the national identification system into biometric
identification mechanisms such as the hand-held fingerprint capture systems
that are now hitting the streets. Instead, as biometric identification
technology becomes widely available, we should work toward a decentralized
system of identity based on biometric encryption. Few organizations ever
need to capture a digitized fingerprint (or retina etc). Instead, it is
entirely possible for each organization to use an individual's finger (etc)
to encrypt an organization-specific identifier that can only be decrypted
with the same finger. Once a national ID system gets going, organizations
will feel little incentive to establish such decentralized identification
schemes, since it will be easy for them to join in the centralized scheme.
The centralized scheme, in other words, will exhibit the same sort of network
effects that have caused the world's computer networks to converge upon a
single, well-engineered de facto network protocol, and the world's personal
computer industry to converge upon a single, poorly-engineered de facto
standard operating system. The federal register entry appeared in the
Computer Privacy Digest, which I have abridged below. Subscription info for
CPD is available at the end of the file.]
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Date: Tue, 30 Jun 98 05:41:24 EST
From: Computer Privacy Digest Moderator <comp-privacy@uwm.edu>
Computer Privacy Digest Tue, 30 Jun 98 Volume 12 : Issue: 025
----------------------------------------------------------------------
From: watcher@gates.hell
Date: 29 Jun 1998 17:32:22 GMT
Subject: Proposed National Identification Card [long]
Organization: The World's Usenet -- http://www.Supernews.com
[Federal Register: June 17, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 116)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 33219-33225]
>From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr17jn98-28]
[[Page 33219]]
_______________________________________________________________________
Part V
Department of Transportation
_______________________________________________________________________
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
_______________________________________________________________________
23 CFR Part 1331
State-Issued Driver's Licenses and Comparable Identification
Documents;
Proposed Rule
[[Page 33220]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
23 CFR Part 1331
[Docket No. NHTSA-98-3945]
RIN 2127-AG-91
State-Issued Driver's Licenses and Comparable Identification
Documents
AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This document proposes regulations to implement the
requirements contained in section 656(b) of the Illegal Immigration
Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996. Section 656(b) of the
Act, entitled State-Issued Driver's Licenses and Comparable
Identification Documents, provides that a Federal agency may only
accept as proof of identity a driver's license or identification
document that conforms to specific requirements, in accordance with
regulations issued by the Secretary of Transportation. This Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking proposes those regulations. The agency requests
comments on its proposal.
DATES: Comments must be received by August 3, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Written comments should refer to the docket number and the
number of this notice, and be submitted (preferably two copies) to:
Docket Management, Room PL-401, National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, Nassif Building, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington,
D.C. 20590. (Docket hours are Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
excluding Federal holidays.)
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. William Holden, Chief, Driver
Register and Traffic Records Division, NTS-32, NHTSA, 400 Seventh
Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590; telephone (202) 366-4800, or Ms.
Heidi L. Coleman, Assistant Chief Counsel for General Law, NCC-30,
NHTSA, 400 Seventh Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20590; telephone
(202) 366-1834.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On September 30, 1996, the Omnibus
Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 1997, P.L. 104-208,
was
signed into law. Included in the Omnibus Act were the provisions of
the
Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996
(hereinafter, the ``Immigration Reform Act''). The purpose of the
Immigration Reform Act was to improve deterrence of illegal
immigration
into the United States.
Section 656(b) of the Act, entitled State-Issued Driver's Licenses
and Comparable Identification Documents, provides that, after October
1, 2000, Federal agencies may not accept as proof of identity driver's
licenses or other comparable identification documents, issued by a
State, unless the driver's license or identification document conforms
to certain requirements.
A. Statutory Requirements
Section 656(b) establishes three requirements that State-issued
driver's licenses or other comparable identification documents must
meet, to be acceptable as proof of identity:
1. Application Process--The application process for the driver's
license or identification document shall include the presentation of
such evidence of identity as is required by regulations promulgated by
the Secretary of Transportation, after consultation with the American
Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA).
2. Form--The driver's license or identification document shall be
in a form consistent with requirements set forth in regulations
promulgated by the Secretary of Transportation, after consultation with
AAMVA. The form shall contain security features designed to limit
tampering, counterfeiting, photocopying, or otherwise duplicating, the
driver's license or identification document for fraudulent purposes and
to limit the use of the driver's license or identification document by
imposters.
3. Social Security Number--The driver's license or identification
document shall contain a social security number that can be read
visually or by electronic means, unless the State issuing such driver's
license or identification document meets certain conditions.
To meet the conditions, the State must not require the driver's
license or identification document to contain a social security number
and the State must require the submission of the social security number
by every applicant for a driver's license or identification document.
The State must also require that a State agency verify the validity of
the social security number with the Social Security Administration
(SSA).
B. Promulgation of Regulations, After Consultation With AAMVA
The Immigration Reform Act requires that the Secretary of
Transportation issue regulations governing State-issued driver's
licenses and comparable identification documents. The Act provides,
however, that the Department must first consult with the American
Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators.
AAMVA is a voluntary, nonprofit, membership organization that
represents the State and provincial officials (generally, referred to
as motor vehicle administrators) in the United States and Canada who
are responsible for the administration and enforcement of laws
pertaining to motor vehicles and their use. The issue of fraudulent
driver's licenses and identification documents has been of concern to
AAMVA for many years. In an effort to address this problem, AAMVA
formed a Uniform Identification Working Group to establish uniform
identification procedures. In May 1996, the working group published the
Uniform Identification Practices Model Program (hereinafter, the
``model program'').
In accordance with the dictates of the Immigration Reform Act,
NHTSA consulted with AAMVA prior to issuing this Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking and it considered carefully the contents of the working
group's model program. Although not directed to by the legislation,
NHTSA also consulted with officials of interested Federal agencies,
including the Social Security Administration and the Immigration and
Naturalization Service (INS).
C. Requirements in Proposed Regulation
This Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) proposes a regulation
that would implement the requirements of Section 656(b) of the
Immigration Reform Act. The requirements being proposed are discussed
below.
1. Evidence of Identity
As explained above, Section 656(b) provides that driver's licenses
or other comparable identification documents issued by a State will
not, after October 1, 2000, be accepted by a Federal agency for any
identification-related purpose unless the application process for the
driver's license or identification document shall include the
presentation of such evidence of identity as is required by regulations
promulgated by the Secretary of Transportation.
Consistent with the working group's model program, NHTSA proposes
that identical identification standards be followed for both driver's
licenses and identification documents. The proposed rule provides that
an applicant would be required to submit one primary and one secondary
document for a new or duplicate driver's license or identification
document. Renewal applicants would be required to show [[Page 33221]]
only their current driver's license or identification document. If the
current driver's license or identification document is unavailable, the
applicant would be required to submit instead a primary and secondary
document.
The purpose of the primary document is to establish identity. As
proposed in this NPRM, the primary document would need to contain the
applicant's full legal name (including middle name) and date of birth,
and it would need to be verifiable. The purpose of the secondary
document is to assist in confirming identity. As proposed in this NPRM,
the secondary document would need to contain the applicant's name, plus
sufficient substantiating information for all or part of the
information contained on the primary document, to confirm the identity
of the individual.
The agency proposes to list acceptable primary and secondary
documents in appendices to the final rule. As needed, the agency would
publish subsequent documents in the Federal Register, updating these
appendices. Proposed lists of acceptable primary and secondary
documents are attached to today's NPRM as Appendix A and Appendix B to
part 1331. The proposed rule provides that exceptions to the published
lists of acceptable documents could be made by States, provided the
exceptions are made in accordance with established procedures and on an
infrequent basis and only in extreme circumstances, such as a fire or
natural disaster.
2. Form and Security Features
To be acceptable after October 1, 2000, driver's licenses or
identification documents shall also be in a form consistent with
requirements set forth in regulations promulgated by the Secretary of
Transportation. The statute requires that the form shall contain
security features designed to limit tampering with, counterfeiting,
photocopying, or otherwise duplicating, the driver's license or
identification document for fraudulent purposes and to limit the use of
the driver's license or identification document by imposters.
Consistent with the working group's model program, NHTSA proposes
that, at a minimum, certain features shall be included on both driver's
licenses and identification documents. The proposed list of features is
included in the proposed regulation. The agency believes that some of
the features included on the proposed list will help to limit the use
of the driver's license or identification document by imposters, such
as the applicant's date of birth and signature, and a color photograph
or image.
``Security features'' is also included as an item on the proposed
list. The incorporation of security features into a driver's license
and identification document will make it more difficult for persons to
tamper with, counterfeit, photocopy, or otherwise duplicate, a driver's
license or identification document for fraudulent purposes. Various
techniques and technologies are currently available to State licensing
agencies that are effective at deterring these practices. The proposed
rule requires States to include one or more security features on
driver's licenses and identification documents. The agency urges
States, however, to adopt as many such features as is practicable,
because the more features a State includes on its driver's licenses and
identification documents, the more difficult it would be for
individuals to counterfeit or otherwise misuse these documents.
The agency proposes to provide a list of suggested security
features in an appendix to the final rule. As needed, the agency would
publish subsequent documents in the Federal Register, updating this
appendix. A proposed list of such features is attached as Appendix C to
part 1331 in today's NPRM.
3. Social Security Number
The Immigration Reform Act provides that, to be acceptable after
October 1, 2000, driver's licenses or identification documents shall
contain a social security number that can be read visually or by
electronic means, except in States that meet certain conditions.
As stated previously, States meet the conditions if they require
the submission of the social security number by every applicant for a
driver's license or identification document, but do not require that
the social security number be included on the driver's license or
identification document. The State must also require that an agency of
the State verify the validity of the social security number with the
Social Security Administration. The NPRM implements this provision by
indicating that States may include social security numbers on driver's
licenses and identification documents, but must require all applicants
to submit their social security number and must verify each applicant's
social security number as described below. a. Validation
The proposed regulation specifies that, with one exception
described below, all States shall verify the validity of each
applicant's social security number with the Social Security
Administration, whether or not the social security number is to be
included on the driver's license or identification document, unless
previously validated.
The working group's model program recommended that ``key''
information, such as social security numbers, should be verified for
each transaction. The model program, which was published in May 1996,
stated, ``Electronic verification with the Social Security
Administration is now possible,'' and the model program urged all
States to ``take advantage of the electronic access and verify [social
security numbers] with the SSA.''
For those States that were not capable at that time of performing
electronic verification, the model program stated that ``manual
verification should be required.'' It was recommended that certain
documents could be used to verify social security numbers manually,
such as social security cards (but not metal cards), letters from the
Social Security Administration, IRS/State tax forms (but not a W-2
form), financial statements containing social security numbers, payroll
stubs containing social security numbers or military ID's containing
social security numbers.
The agency hopes that, by October 1, 2000, each State will be
capable of verifying social security numbers electronically, rather
than manually. Therefore, the agency has proposed in the NPRM that,
beginning October 1, 2000, each State shall verify each application for
a new, duplicate or renewal driver's license or identification document
electronically with the Social Security Administration, unless
previously validated.
The agency requests comments on this proposed requirement. In
particular, the agency seeks comments regarding whether States do not
expect to be capable of verifying the social security numbers for all
driver's license and identification document applicants by October 1,
2000. If it is expected that any State may not have such a capability
by that date, the agency requests that comments include a prediction of
the date by which such State may have this capability. b. Individuals
Unable to Obtain Social Security Numbers
The Immigration Reform Act requires all States to request the
social security number from every applicant for a driver's license or
identification document.
It has been brought to the agency's attention, however, that some
individuals who may wish to apply for [[Page 33222]] a driver's license
or identification document may not have a social security number. Many
nonimmigrant aliens (such as foreign students) are lawfully present in
the United States long enough to need to obtain a State issued driver's
license, but may not have INS work authorization or any other reason to
be eligible to obtain a social security number. Some States have sought
guidance from the agency on how they can comply with the Immigration
Reform Act without having to deny a driver's license to ``legal
aliens'' who are prevented by their status from obtaining a social
security number.
The Immigration Reform Act was not enacted into law to prevent
individuals who are legally in the United States from holding valid
driver's licenses or identification documents. Rather, the statute was
enacted to deter illegal immigration into the United States.
The agency proposes to permit States to continue processing
applications for driver's licenses and identification documents for
individuals legally in the United States. At the time of application
for a new or duplicate driver's license or identification document,
such individuals would be required under the proposed rule to submit
(in addition to primary and secondary documents) a document
demonstrating their lawful presence in the United States. This ``proof
of lawful presence'' document would need to be verified by confirming
that the document reasonably appears on its face to be genuine as it
relates to the applicant.
The agency proposes to list acceptable ``proof of lawful presence''
documents in an appendix to the final rule. As needed, the agency would
publish subsequent documents in the Federal Register, updating this
appendix. A proposed list of acceptable ``proof of lawful presence''
documents is attached to today's NPRM as Appendix D to part 1331.
States that include an individual's social security number on
driver's licenses and identification documents may choose to include
instead on documents for individuals who do not have a social security
number an alternative numeric identifier. An alternative numeric
identifier is a unique identification number issued by a State driver
licensing agency to an individual who does not have a social security
number. The alternative numeric identifier should not contain the same
number sequence as a social security number to protect against
confusion with or duplication of a social security number. In addition,
the agency proposes that States must require applicants who claim not
to hold social security numbers to sign certifying statements to that
effect.
4. Certification of Compliance
The proposed rule provides that States must demonstrate compliance
with the requirements of the regulation by submitting a certification
to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The
certification shall contain a statement by an appropriate State
official, that the State's driver's licenses and identification
documents conform to the requirements contained in the regulation.
The agency seeks comments regarding whether States expect to be
able to meet all requirements of the regulation by October 1, 2000. If
it is expected that any State may not be able to meet all requirements
by that date, the agency requests comments about whether the regulation
should contain a provision setting forth a procedure to allow States to
request an extension of time to comply with the requirements of the
regulation. If such a provision should be included, the agency seeks
comments about what criteria should be used to determine when an
extension should be granted.
5. Grants
Section 656(b)(2) requires the Secretary of Transportation to make
grants available to the States to assist them in issuing driver's
licenses and comparable identification documents that satisfy the
requirements of the law. The President included a request for $325,000
in his fiscal year 1999 budget for these grants. The Department of
Transportation is still developing its fiscal year 2000 budget.
Written Comments
Interested persons are invited to comment on this Notice of
Proposed Rulemaking. It is requested, but not required, that two copies
be submitted.
All comments must be limited to 15 pages in length. Necessary
attachments may be appended to those submissions without regard to the
15 page limit. (49 CFR 553.21.) This limitation is intended to
encourage commenters to detail their primary arguments in a concise
fashion.
Written comments to the public docket must be received by August 3,
1998. All comments received before the close of business on the comment
closing date will be considered and will be available for examination
in the docket at the above address before and after that date. To the
extent possible, comments received after the closing date will also be
considered. However, the rulemaking action may proceed at any time
after that date. NHTSA will continue to file relevant material in the
docket as they become available after the closing date, and it is
recommended that interested persons continue to examine the docket for
new materials. To expedite submission of comments, simultaneous with
the issuance of this notice NHTSA will mail copies to all Governor's
Representatives for Highway Safety and to the motor vehicle
administrators for each State.
Those persons desiring to be notified upon receipt of their
comments in the docket should enclose, in the envelope with their
comments, a self-addressed stamped postcard. Upon receiving the
comments, the docket supervisor will return the postcard by mail.
Copies of all documents will be placed in Docket No.
NHTSA-98-3945; in Docket Management, Room PL-401, Nassif Building, 400
Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590. Regulatory Analyses and
Notice Executive Order 12778 (Civil Justice Reform)
This proposed rule would not have any preemptive or retroactive
effect. The enabling legislation does not establish a procedure for
judicial review of rules promulgated under its provisions. There is no
requirement that individuals submit a petition for reconsideration or
other administrative proceedings before they may file suit in court.
Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review) and DOT
Regulatory Policies and Procedures
The agency has examined the impact of the proposed action and has
determined that the proposed action is not significant under Executive
Order 12866 and the Department of Transportation's Regulatory Policies
and Procedures.
The action will not have an annual effect on the economy of $100
million or more or adversely affect in a material way a sector of the
economy, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety,
or State, local or tribal governments or communities. It will not
create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an action
taken or planned by another agency, and it will not materially alter
the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan
programs or the rights and obligations of recipients thereof. Nor does
it raise novel legal or policy issues.
To estimate the costs and benefits of the proposed action, NHTSA
prepared a Preliminary Regulatory Evaluation (PRE), assessing the costs
and benefits. It has been placed in the docket for this [[Page 33223]]
proceeding and is available for public inspection. Based on the
analysis contained in the PRE, NHTSA predicts that States will incur
costs to comply with the requirements of the regulation. The costs will
be associated with redesigning driver's licenses and identification
documents to include social security numbers, adding security and other
features to these documents, computer programming changes, verifying
social security numbers, rewriting forms and training employees. Based
on estimates that it received from five States (Delaware, Iowa,
Montana, Utah and Wisconsin), the agency estimates the total national
first year costs associated with the regulation to range from
$24,846,652 to $72,568,996. The total annual estimated national costs
thereafter range from $7,697,984 to $51,713,028. The primary benefit of
the proposed rule is that it will help limit tampering with,
counterfeiting, photocopying, or otherwise duplicating, driver's
licenses or identification documents for fraudulent purposes. It will
also help limit the use of driver's licenses or identification
documents by imposters.
The proposed action is not significant under the Department's
Regulatory Policies and Procedures because it does not involve
important Departmental policies; rather it is being proposed for the
purpose of implementing the provisions contained in Public Law
104-208.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
In compliance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act (Pub. L. 96-354,
5 U.S.C. 601-612), the agency has evaluated the effects of this
proposed action on small entities. Based on the evaluation, we certify
that this action will not have a significant impact on a substantial
number of small entities. Accordingly, the preparation of a Regulatory
Flexibility Analysis is unnecessary.
Paperwork Reduction Act
This notice contains information collection requirements that have
been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for review under
the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act. The title, description,
and respondent description of the information collection are shown
below with an estimate of the annual burden.
Title: Improvements in Identification Related Documents--State-
Issued Driver's Licenses and Comparable Identification Documents.
OMB Clearance number: Not assigned. Description of the need for
the information and proposed use of the information: In order to
ensure that States comply with the Act and regulations, NHTSA is
proposing to require each State to certify its compliance. Once the
State has made the necessary modifications to its procedures and
systems and has begun to carry out the requirements of the Act, it
would submit to NHTSA a letter certifying that it complies with the
regulations.
Description of likely respondents (including estimate of proposed
frequency of response to the collection of information): The
respondents are the State driver licensing agencies. All respondents
would submit to NHTSA a letter certifying compliance with the
regulations one time only.
Estimate of total annual reporting and record keeping burden
resulting from the collection of information: NHTSA estimates that each
respondent will incur 15 minutes in preparing and submitting the
certification letter for a total of 13.5 hours (15 minutes x 54
respondents) x $38.00 per hour employee cost, for a total cost of
$513.00.
Individuals and organizations may submit comments on the
information collection requirements by August 3, 1998, and should
direct them to the docket for this proceeding and the Office of
Management and Budget, New Executive Office Building, Room 10202,
Washington D.C. 20503, Attention: Desk Officer for DOT/OST. Persons are
not required to respond to a collection of information unless it
displays a currently valid OMB control number.
National Environmental Policy Act
The agency has analyzed this proposed action for the purpose of the
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.) and
has determined that it would not have any significant impact on the
quality of the human environment.
The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Public Law 104-4)
requires agencies to prepare a written assessment of the costs,
benefits and other affects of proposed final rules that include a
Federal mandate likely to result in the expenditure by State, local or
tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of more
than $100 million annually. This proposed rule does not meet the
definition of a Federal mandate, because the resulting annual
expenditures will not exceed the $100 million threshold.
Executive Order 12612 (Federalism Assessment)
This proposed action has been analyzed in accordance with the
principles and criteria contained in Executive Order 12612, and it has
been determined that this proposed action would not have sufficient
federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism
Assessment.
In consideration of the foregoing, a new Part 1331 is added to
chapter III of Title 23 of the Code of Federal Regulations to read as
follows:
Part 1331--State-Issued Driver's Licenses and Comparable Identification
Documents
Subpart A--General
Sec.
1331.1 Scope.
1331.2 Purpose.
1331.3 Definitions.
Subpart B--Procedures
Sec.
1331.4 Application process.
1331.5 Form and security features.
1331.6 Social security number.
1331.7 Effective date.
1331.8 Certification.
Appendices to Part 1331
Appendix A--Primary documents.
Appendix B--Secondary documents.
Appendix C--Security features.
Appendix D--Proof of lawful presence documents.
Authority: Pub. L. 104-208, 110 Stat. 3009-716 (5 U.S.C. 301)
delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.50.
Subpart A--General
Sec. 1331.1 Scope.
This part provides procedures for States to comply with the
provisions of section 656 (Improvements in Identification--Related
Documents) of Title VI (Miscellaneous provisions) of the Omnibus
Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 1997 (Public Law 104-
208) relating to the acceptance by Federal agencies for identification
purposes of a driver's license, or other comparable identification
document, issued by a State.
Sec. 1331.2 Purpose.
The purpose of this part is to implement the provisions of section
656(b) of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility
Act, 5 U.S.C. 301.
Sec. 1331.3 Definitions.
(a) State means all fifty States and the District of Columbia,
Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands
[[Page 33224]]
(b) Federal agency means any of the following: (1) An executive
agency (as defined in 5 U.S.C. 105). (2) A military department (as
defined in 5 U.S.C. 102). (3) An agency in the legislative branch
of the Government of the United States. (4) An agency in the
judicial branch of the Government of the United States.
(c) Driver's license means a license issued by a State to any
individual that authorizes the individual to operate a motor vehicle on
highways.
(d) Other comparable identification document means a personal
identification card issued by a State to non-drivers for identification
purposes.
(e) Primary document means a verifiable document used to provide
evidence of identity which contains an applicant's full legal name
(including middle name) and date of birth.
(f) Secondary document means a document used to provide additional
evidence of identity which contains an applicant's name plus sufficient
substantiating information for all or part of the information contained
on the primary document.
(g) Proof of lawful presence document means a verifiable document
used to establish the identity and lawful presence of an individual who
does not have and is ineligible to obtain a social security number.
(h) Valid social security number means a unique identification
number issued by the Social Security Administration to every individual
who meets the Agency's requirements to receive a number.
(i) Alternative numeric identifier means a unique identification
number issued by a driver licensing agency to an individual who does
not have a social security number.
Subpart B--Procedures
Sec. 1331.4 Application process.
A Federal agency may not accept for any identification related
purpose a driver's license or other comparable identification document
issued by a State, unless the license or document satisfies the
following requirements.
(a)(1) The application process for an original or duplicate license
or document shall include presentation of one primary and one secondary
document. Lists of acceptable primary and secondary documents are
attached to this part as Appendix A and Appendix B, respectively.
(2) States may accept documents that are not listed in Appendix A
or Appendix B of this part at their discretion in cases where an
applicant cannot submit the required document(s). Such exceptions shall
be made only in accordance with established procedures and on an
infrequent basis and only in extreme circumstances, such as a fire or
natural disaster.
(b) The application process for a renewal license or document shall
include presentation of an applicant's current license or document. If
the current license or document is unavailable the applicant would be
required to submit instead a primary and secondary document.
Sec. 1331.5 Form and security features.
The license or document shall contain the following features: (a)
Jurisdiction of issuance; (b) Indicator that the document is a
driver's license or identification card, whichever is applicable;
(c) Driver license/ID card number; (d) Full name of the applicant;
(e) Date of birth; (f) The license classification, restriction(s),
or endorsement(s) (if a driver license);
(g) Color photograph or image; (h) Expiration date; (i) Signature;
(j) Address (mailing or residential, as determined by the issuing
agency);
(k) Issuance date; (l) Physical description, which may include sex,
height, weight, eye and hair color, and
(m) One or more security features--A list of suggested security
features is included in Appendix C of this part.
Sec. 1331.6 Social security number.
(a) Before issuing a license or document each State shall: (1)
Require the submission of the social security number by every
applicant for a license or document.
(2) Verify electronically the validity of each applicant's social
security number with the Social Security Administration.
(b) States may require licenses and documents to contain social
security numbers that can be read visually or by electronic means.
(c) Before issuing a license or document to an alien individual who
does not possess and is ineligible to obtain a social security number,
each State shall:
(1) Require the applicant to present, in addition to the documents
required to be presented under Sec. 1331.4 (a) and (b), a document
demonstrating lawful presence in the United States in a status in which
the applicant may be ineligible to obtain a social security number. A
list of acceptable ``proof of lawful presence'' documents is attached
to this part as Appendix D.
(2) Verify the validity of each applicant's ``proof of lawful
presence'' document by confirming that the document reasonably appears
on its face to be genuine as it relates to the applicant.
(d) States shall require each applicant who claims not to hold a
social security number to sign a certifying statement to that effect.
(e) States may require licenses and documents issued to individuals
who do not possess social security numbers to contain an alternative
numeric identifier that can be read visually or by electronic means.
Sec. 1331.7 Effective date.
Sections 1331.4 through 1331.6 shall take effect beginning on
October 1, 2000, but shall apply only to licenses or documents issued
to an individual for the first time and to replacement or renewal
licenses or documents issued according to State law.
Sec. 1331.8 Certification.
(a) To demonstrate compliance with this part, a State shall certify
that its licenses and documents conform to the requirements contained
in this regulation. The certification should be submitted by September
30, 2000, to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400
Seventh St., S.W. Washington D.C. 20590.
(b) The certification shall contain a statement by an appropriate
State official, that the State's licenses and documents conform to the
requirements of this part.
Appendices to Part 1331
Appendix A--Primary Documents
A primary document must contain the full name and date of birth of
the individual, and must be verifiable, i.e., the State must be able to
contact the issuing agency to determine the authenticity of the
document. Primary documents include:
(1) State issued or Canadian photo driver's license that has not
been expired for more than one year.
(2) State issued or Canadian issued photo identification card that
has not been expired for more than one year.
(3) Microfilm/copy of a State issued or Canadian driver's license
or identification card that has not been expired for more than one year
that is certified by the issuing agency.
(4) Original or certified copy of a United States or Canadian birth
certificate. The certificate must have a raised seal and be issued by
an authorized government agency such as the bureau of Vital Statistics
or State Board of Health. Hospital issued certificates and baptismal
certificates are not acceptable.
(5) The following Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)
documents are also acceptable, as long as they are original and
unexpired:
[[Page 33225]]
(a) Certificate of Naturalization (N-550, N-570, or N-578). (b)
Certificate of Citizenship (N-560, N-561, or N-645). (c) Northern
Marianas Card. (d) American Indian Card. (e) United States
Citizen Identification Card (I-179 or I-197). (f) Resident Alien
Card or Permanent Resident Card (I-551). (g) Temporary Resident
Card (I-688). (h) Arrival-Departure Record (in a valid foreign
passport) (I- 94).
(i) Valid foreign passport containing an I-551 stamp. (j) U.S.
Re-entry Permit (I-327). (k) Refugee Travel Document (I-571). (l)
Employment Authorization Card or Employment Authorization Document
(I-688A, I-688B, I-766).
(m) Arrival-Departure Record stamped ``refugee'(I-94) (Refugee
I-94's will not likely be in a foreign passport).
(6) Canadian Immigration Record and Visa or Record of Landing (IMM
100).
(7) Report of Birth Abroad by a Citizen of the United States,
issued by a United States consular officer.
(8) Court order which must contain the individual's full name, date
of birth and court seal. Some examples include an adoption document, a
name change document, gender change document, etc. It does not include
an abstract of criminal or civil conviction.
(9) Active duty, retiree or reservist military identification
card.
(10) Valid U.S. or Canadian passport. (11) State-issued driver's
learner permit with a photograph that has not been expired for more
than one year.
(12) Canadian Department of Indian Affairs issued identification
card. Tribal issued card is not acceptable. A U.S. issued Department of
Indian Affairs card is not acceptable.
Appendix B--Secondary Documents
Secondary documents must contain the applicant's name and
sufficient substantiating information for all or part of the
information contained on the primary document. Foreign documents are
acceptable only as specifically authorized. Secondary documents
include:
(1) All primary documents. (2) Bureau of Indian Affairs card or an
Indian Treaty card. A Tribal identification card is not acceptable.
(Note: Some Tribal identification cards are actually more reliable than
Bureau of Indian Affairs cards. Department of Motor Vehicle Agencies
should make a determination about whether to accept a card based on
their own research of what is or is not acceptable.)
(3) Driver's license or an identification card that has expired for
more than one year.
(4) Court order that does not contain the applicant's date of
birth.
(5) Photographic employer identification card. (6) Foreign birth
certificate. It must be translated by an approved translator.
(7) Foreign passport. (8) Health insurance card, i.e., Blue
Cross/Blue Shield, Kaiser, or a health maintenance organization
(HMO).
(9) Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or State tax form. A W-2 is not
acceptable.
(10) Marriage certificate or license. (11) Individual's medical
records from a doctor or hospital. (12) Military dependent
identification. (13) Military discharge or separation papers.
(14) Parent or guardian affidavit. The parent or guardian must
appear in person and prove their identity and submit a certified or
notarized affidavit regarding the child's identity. This policy is only
applicable to minors.
(15) Gun permit. (16) Pilot's license. (17) Certified school
record or transcript. (18) Social security card. A metal card is
not acceptable. (19) Photographic student identification card.
(20) Vehicle title. A vehicle registration is not acceptable. (21)
Welfare card. (22) Prison release document.
Appendix C--Security Features
States must use one or more security features on their driver's
licenses and identification cards to prevent alteration and tampering
of their documents. Suggested security features include, but are not
limited to, the following:
(1) Ghost image. (2) Ghost graphic. (3) Hologram. (4) Optical
variable device. (5) Microline printing. (6) State seal or a
signature which overlaps the individual's photograph or
information.
(7) Security laminate. (8) Background containing color, pattern,
line or design. (9) Rainbow printing. (10) Guilloche pattern or
design. (11) Opacity mark. (12) Out of gamut colors (i.e., pastel
print). (13) Optical variable ultra-high-resolution lines. (14)
Block graphics. (15) Security fonts and graphics with known hidden
flaws. (16) Card stock, layer with colors. (17) Micro-graphics.
(18) Retroflective security logos. (19) Machine readable
technologies such as magnetic strips, a ID bar code or a 2D bar
code.
Appendix D--Proof of lawful presence documents
States must require individuals who do not have and are not
eligible to obtain, social security numbers to submit, in addition to
primary and secondary documents, a ``proof of lawful presence''
document when applying for a driver's license or comparable
identification document. Acceptable ``proof of lawful presence''
documents include the following documents as long as they are original
and unexpired.
The INS documents listed in Appendix A are not acceptable except
for certain Forms I-94 as described below. Note that Appendix D
includes documents (such as I-186 Nonresident Alien Mexican Border
Crossing Card) that normally are issued to short-term nonresident
visitors. States should continue to apply their existing laws and
policies regarding requirements and proof of State residence.
(1) Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) (Class A-1, A-2, A-3, B-1, B-2,
C-1, C-2, C-3, E-1, E-2, F-1, F-2, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, G-5, H- 4, I,
J-2, K-2, L-2, M-1, M-2, NATO 1-7, O-3, P-4, R-2, S-5, S-6, S- 7, TC,
TD, Cuban/Haitian Entrant, Parolee.
The form I-94 cannot state ``Employment Authorized.'' If a foreign
passport and Form I-94 have been presented as primary or secondary
evidence, that Form I-94 is also an acceptable Appendix D document, but
only if it fits the Appendix D description.
(2) Visa Waiver Arrival-Departure Record (I-94W) (Class WB, WT).
(3) Crewman's Landing Permit (I-95A). (4) Alien Crewman Landing
Permit and Identification Card (I- 184).
(5) Nonresident Alien Canadian Border Crossing Card(I-185). (6)
Nonresident Alien Mexican Border Crossing Card (I-186). (7)
Nonresident Alien Border Crossing Card (I-586). (8) B-1/B-2
Visa/BCC (DSP-150).
Issued on: June 12, 1998. Philip R. Recht, Deputy Administrator,
National Highway Traffic, Safety Administration. [FR Doc. 98-16062
Filed 6-12-98; 1:09 pm] BILLING CODE 4910-59-P
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
darkstar@ecom.net
------------------------------
From: "Prof. L. P. Levine" <levine@blatz.cs.uwm.edu>
Date: 04 May 1998 12:00:00 -0600 (CDT)
Subject: Info on CPD [unchanged since 02/19/98]
Organization: University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
The Computer Privacy Digest is a forum for discussion on the effect of
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If you read this from the comp.society.privacy newsgroup and wish to
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-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------
Leonard P. Levine | Moderator of: Computer Privacy Digest
Professor of Computer Science| and comp.society.privacy
Univ. of Wisconsin-Milwaukee | Post: comp-privacy@uwm.edu
Box 784, Milwaukee WI 53201 | Information: comp-privacy-request@uwm.edu
| Gopher: gopher.cs.uwm.edu
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-----------------------------+-----------------------------------------
------------------------------
End of Computer Privacy Digest V12 #025
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