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Minutes for HB2606 - Committee on Transportation
Short Title
Renewal of drivers' licenses; vision requirements.
Minutes Content for Thu, Mar 15, 2018
Chairperson Petersen opened the hearing on the bill. Scott Wells, Revisor's Office, gave an overview. He said this bill allows a person to electronically renew a driver's license online and not have to take a vision test. In order to do that, the applicant must be between 18 and 50 years old, must authorize the exchange of medical information between the eye doctor and Division of Vehicles (DOV), must certify their vision meets legal requirements, must has visited the eye doctor in the previous year, and must prove their identity online. The bill proposes a pilot program until July 1, 2022 and would require reporting to the House Transportation on or before February 1, 2022.
Ted Smith, Deputy General Counsel, Legal Services Bureau, Kansas Department of Revenue, gave proponent testimony (Attachment 1). He said the bill doesn't change the driver's license renewal process, but instead provides another alternative for renewals. About 99% of renewal applicants go to the DOV for renewal and a vision test. This option creates an alternative so people do not have to take off work or find day care to renew a license. If someone has had an exam at an ophthalmologist or optometrist in the previous year, and that person's vision is adequate, that will satisfy the vision requirement for renewal. It is estimated between 10% and 30% of persons will renew online. This bill was crafted with consultation with the Kansas Optometric Association (KOA). The online applicant must identify the provider and then DOV will e-mail the doctor's office for verification. This program sunsets in four years.
Senator Schmidt asked why it is "may" and not "shall" on Page 5, Line 32, "the Secretary of Revenue may adopt rules and regulations"? Mr. Smith said it is "may" because federal guidelines can change over the next few years. Senator Schmidt said she would like an amendment changing "may" to "shall" and to include a date certain.
Senator Schmidt asked whether the change would be for the convenience of citizens or of the DOV. Mr. Smith said other states are doing this and say customers will get more comfortable with online renewal. Senator Schmidt noted the agency will have to work with KOA and for the ophthalmologists, the Board of Healing Arts. She asked about e-mailing, and Mr. Smith said an e-mail asking the doctor's office to verify the correctness of the application will be sent. The issuance of a license is delayed a few days to give the doctor a chance to object. If the customer is not a patient of the optometrist or ophthalmologist, the patient's license will be canceled and the licensee will be directed to come into a local office to start over again.
Senator Schmidt asked what happens if the person is out-of-state? Mr Smith said that is a negative if the online license renewal is denied and the license is listed as having an invalid status. The person would have to re-apply and pay again. Senator Schmidt asked about the extra workload to the doctors for the online work. Mr. Smith said there is no getting around there is extra work for the doctors, but we are communicating to the citizens in Kansas that there is value to getting an annual eye exam.
Senator Skubal asked about the picture on the license. Mr. Smith said there will not be an updated photo, but instead the last photo on an issued license will be used. This is not available to persons over 50 and only for every other renewal. If someone renews online, that person would not have to come into a DOV office for twelve years.
Chairperson Petersen asked about two customer lines at the DOV--one for renewals and one for new applicants. Kent Selk, Driver Licensing, DOV, said there are queues, but the customers put themselves in the wrong line. Smaller office don't have this ability.
Senator Hawk asked for rationale on a maximum age of 50 years for online renewal. Mr. Smith said that 50 is a good cutoff and there are medical conditions that happen more frequently with increased aging; the age was discussed with KOA. The age may be expanded, but right now this is a pilot program. Mr. Smith said the program may be recalibrated after four years, and changes may be made.
Senator Pettey asked if she would renew online, and wrote on the form that she had an eye exam by a certain ophthalmologist, will the DOV be verifying or requesting a copy? Mr. Smith said DOV would be verifying that the exam was given. Mr. Smith said this will be a sworn declaration and, by asking a few more questions, it is hoped the applicant will answer all truthfully. If there is no answer from the optometrist or ophthalmologist, DOV will continue with the renewal.
Senator Schmidt asked if the identification card has an expiration and whether it would be affected by this process? Mr. Smith said no. Non-driver identification cards expire after six years.
Todd Fleischer, Executive Director, Kansas Optometric Association (KOA), provided proponent testimony (Attachment 2). This does make additional work, but optometrists are already dealing with this for contact lens orders. He said if a patient comes in and should not be driving, optometric staff contact the Division of Vehicles indicating that particular person needs an eye exam and a driving test. Mr. Fleischer has talked to the Kansas Medical Society and the osteopath association, who agree with the language. He appreciates that the DOV came to the optometrists. As to 50 years of age, Mr. Fleischer said eyesight begins to worsen and there is a greater likelihood of medical problems. This four-year program can be changed as it is a pilot program. He added that when testifying in the House, the program was still being finalized and testimony by KOA was as a neutral. Now that protocols are known, he is testifying as a proponent.
Senator Pettey asked whether optometrists in other states with similar programs have seen an increase of people having eye tests. Mr. Fleischer said the program is too new yet, so that is not being seen. Some states do not have vision test requirements to get a driver's license. Mr. Fleischer indicated the renewal can still be done in the DOV office.
Senator Fitzgerald asked if this provides doctors more patients for regular eye exams to be done, and Mr. Fleischer said this just provides an online renewal option for those who do get regular exams.
There was no opponent or neutral testimony.
The hearing was closed.
