CA to Tie Driver's License Registration with Draft Registration

Marc Angelucci writes "Kudos to California for having the 5th worst Selective Service registration compliance in the nation (79%). But Assemblyperson Briggs and the L.A. County Board of Supervisors see this as a "problem." To fix it, they want to pass California Assembly Bill (AB1572), which would make draft registration automatic upon applying for a driver's license - if you are male, that is." Click "Read More" below to view some quotes and more of Marc's comments. So, gentlemen, if you want to drive in California, you now must pay for your maleness not only in higher auto insurance rates, but by signing off your body as an on-call warrior. After all, driving is a privilege, not a right. And if you're male, it may not even be a privilege anymore.



The L.A. Board of Supervisors put this bill (see Item #3) onto their agenda on 3/20/01 and wound up voting to support it.



Here are excerpts from the L.A. County Board of Supervisors Agenda:




3. Recommendation as submitted by Supervisor Knabe: Send a five-signature letter to Governor Gray Davis, Assembly Member Mike Briggs and the Los Angeles County Legislative Delegation, supporting AB 1572 (Briggs), legislation which would link the Selective Service System registration with the process of applying for a driver's license or State identification card by requiring the Department of Motor Vehicles to include on the application a notice to applicants who are at least 18 years of age, but less than 26 years of age, that his submission of the application serves as consent to registration with the Selective Service System; and urging early passage and enactment of the bill.



Federal law requires virtually all male U.S. citizens, as well as immigrant men residing the United States, to register with the Selective Service System (SSS) when reaching age 18. However, despite ongoing education efforts, many men do not know about this important civic obligation and legal requirement.



Declining registration compliance is of concern to officials because it means that any future draft instituted by Congress and the President in a national emergency would be less than fair and equitable. Also, men who fail to register with Selective Service are not eligible for certain programs and benefits that the Congress and 28 states have linked to registration. They include student loans and grants for college, most government jobs, and job training. The Immigration and Naturalization Service can also deny immigrant men who fail to register U. S. citizenship.
California is currently at 79% compliance for SSS registration. Out of 50 states, California ranks 45th.



It is generally believed that the key to solving the SSS registration compliance problem in a state is to link SSS registration with the process of applying for a driver's license or state identification card. These laws are simple and inexpensive to implement and have already been enacted in Oklahoma, Delaware and Arkansas. An SSS registration driver's license law has passed the Utah legislature and is currently awaiting the Governor's signature. There are 22 states where legislation has recently been introduced and will be voted on during the 2001 sessions. Numerous other states are in the process of drafting similar legislation in the near future.



In California, Assembly Bill 1572 (Mike Briggs, R-Assembly District 29, Fresno) has been introduced to link SSS registration with driver's license/identification card process. The people of California have always supported a strong national defense and a prepared America.



I, THEREFORE, MOVE that a 5-signature letter be sent in support of Assembly Bill 1572 to the Los Angeles County Assemblymembers and State Senators, the author of the legislation, and to Governor Gray Davis urging early passage and enactment of this proposal.

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