Indication of veteran status of former service member on an operator's license or identification card. (FE)
Impact
If enacted, AB780 would allow a larger population of former service members to identify themselves as veterans on legal identification. This change is significant as it could pave the way for veterans who serve in capacities often overlooked, such as those in reserve or national guard roles, to gain recognition. As a result, it addresses a gap in how veteran status has been traditionally defined and recognized in state licensing practices.
Summary
Assembly Bill 780 aims to expand the definition of 'veteran' to include not only individuals who served in the U.S. armed forces but also those in reserve units and the national guard, provided they were discharged under honorable conditions. This bill primarily affects how veterans can represent their status on their operator's licenses and identification cards in Wisconsin. Under current law, only certain active duty service members qualify to indicate veteran status on these documents, which the bill seeks to modify to include a broader range of service members.
Contention
A point of potential contention surrounding AB780 could stem from discussions about what qualifies an individual as a veteran. Opponents might argue that including reserve and national guard members could diminish the recognition of those who served in active duty or for extended periods. However, supporters would likely counter that all service should be honored equally, regardless of the military capacity or duration of service, thus fostering inclusivity within the veteran community.
Requires the office of motor vehicles to display an image indicating the United States citizenship status on driver's licenses and state identification cards of cardholders (EN SEE FISC NOTE SG EX)
Authorizes the department of motor vehicles to accept a certificate of release or discharge from active duty issued by the United States department of defense (DD form 214), a veteran identification card issued by the United States department of veterans affairs, or a veterans health identification card issued by the United States department of veterans affairs from veterans of the military as acceptable proofs of identity when applying for a driver license or state identification card.