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COMMITTEE REPORT
April 4, 2001
H. 3423
Introduced by Reps. Stuart, Allison, Barfield, Bowers, J. Brown, Coates, Davenport, Freeman, Gilham, Govan, Harrison, M. Hines, Hinson, Knotts, Lee, Lloyd, Lourie, McCraw, Meacham-Richardson, Merrill, Miller, Moody-Lawrence, Parks, Phillips, Rodgers, Scott, Simrill, G.M. Smith, Talley, Weeks, Whatley, Whipper and J. Young
S. Printed 4/4/01--H.
Read the first time February 1, 2001.
To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (H. 3423) to express the belief and intent of the General Assembly that special identification cards issued by the State of South Carolina under Section 56-1-3350 of the 1976 code, etc., respectfully
That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:
JAMES H. HARRISON for Committee.
TO EXPRESS THE BELIEF AND INTENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT SPECIAL IDENTIFICATION CARDS ISSUED BY THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA UNDER SECTION 56-1-3350 OF THE 1976 CODE ARE VALID FOR ALL PURPOSES FOR WHICH A DRIVER'S LICENSE MAY BE USED AS A FORM OF PHOTOGRAPHIC IDENTIFICATION OTHER THAN AS AUTHORIZATION FOR THE HOLDER TO OPERATE A MOTOR VEHICLE.
Whereas, Section 56-1-3350 of the 1976 Code provides for the issuance of special identification cards to South Carolinians five years of age and older by the Department of Public Safety; and
Whereas, these special identification cards are designed by law to bear an individual's photograph and resemble a South Carolina driver's license, except that the card must contain a statement indicating that it does not license the bearer to operate a motor vehicle; and
Whereas, the South Carolina General Assembly, in enacting Section 56-1-3350, intended that these photographic identification cards be used for all purposes for which a licensed driver might use a driver's license not related to the operation of a motor vehicle including presenting a form of photographic identification when cashing or negotiating a check; and
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Whereas, banks and merchants apparently do not always recognize these identification cards as valid forms of photographic identification when presented by blind persons and other nondrivers, and in at least two recent instances, merchants and check-cashing centers have refused to negotiate checks presented by blind South Carolinians holding special identification cards and required instead that a sighted person holding a driver's license endorse the check; and
Whereas, this recent action is inconsistent with the plain meaning of Section 56-1-3350 and what the General Assembly intended in enacting this provision; and
Whereas, the General Assembly, by this resolution, hereby calls on all merchants and banks to transact business in accordance with the intent of this law as expressed in this resolution and also requests appropriate media outlets to raise public awareness of this important issue. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the members of the General Assembly express their belief and intent that special identification cards issued by the State of South Carolina under Section 56-1-3350 of the 1976 Code are valid for all purposes for which a driver's license may be used as a form of photographic identification other than as authorization for the holder to operate a motor vehicle.
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