Rep. Kelly Merrick’s bill to help service members and their families passes the House of Representatives. The effort to help military members serving abroad face less bureaucratic red tape passed the House floor by a unanimous vote. HB 268 helps the men and women serving in uniform by creating more flexibility in their driver’s license renewal process.
Rep. Kelly Merrick on the House Floor said:
“This legislation is the result of a military member from Eagle River with an issue renewing his driver’s license before being stationed abroad. Our current statute allows for the renewal of a driver’s license within one year of expiration, however the country receiving this military member required that his driver’s license be valid for the entire time of his stay. Germany required that his driver’s license not expire while he was there in order for him to receive the USA/European driver’s license. House Bill 268 would allow military members and their families to renew their driver’s licenses within two years as opposed to one year. This is only if they are on orders to be stationed abroad or that they are currently stationed abroad. I do have a couple of notes in the DMVA subcommittee. It was asked if this would apply to nonmarried people and the response from DMVA was that the military does not send unmarried people abroad with their service member. It must be a legally married spouse or dependent.”
Current Alaska statute allows for renewal of driver’s licenses within one year of expiration. However, some foreign governments in which service members are stationed often require licenses to be valid for the duration of deployment. The tight turnaround time for deployments and specific requirements that vary by location make renewal planning difficult. HB 268 helps the military members and their families by doubling the current exemption, allowing a full two years to renew licenses.
HB 268 now moves on for further consideration to the Senate.
Transcribed audio courtesy of KTOO 360 TV.