Rep. Staneski Works to Waive ID Fee for Veterans

From CT House Republicans: With the commemoration of Memorial Day this last weekend in May, State Rep. Pam Staneski (Milford & Orange) hailed passage of a bill which gives state veterans some relief.

The legislation, HB-6061, An Act Waiving the Fee for Veterans Who Have Certain Driver’s Licenses or Identity Cards Reissued Prior to Expiration, would require the Department of Motor Vehicles commissioner to waive the current fee for a duplicate license or identification card for any veteran who would like to include their veteran status designation on their identification.

The bill which was co-sponsored by State Representative Pam Staneski, was unanimously approved in the House of Representatives on a 149 to 0 vote.

Under the law, a “duplicate” license or identity card is one reissued before the expiration date of a previously issued credential and identical to the most recently issued one, or that contains modifications to the most recently issued one.

“The bill is a small token of our appreciation we can provide to our Connecticut veterans in recognition of their selfless service to our country,” said Rep. Staneski.

In order to qualify for the designation, veterans must submit a request to the Department of Veterans Affairs who will then verify the status with the DMV commissioner. State law defines a veteran as any person who has who has been honorably discharged or released under honorable conditions from active duty in the armed forces (U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Air Force and any of their reserve components, including the Connecticut National Guard.

Connecticut currently charges $30 for a duplicate license or identification card with the veteran status designation.

The bill will now move onto the Senate for future debate. The legislative session ends at midnight on Wednesday, June 7th.

Photo courtesy of CT House Republicans