FORT WALTON BEACH — State Rep. Matt Gaetz has filed legislation to allow military IDs to qualify as valid identification for a Florida drivers’ license.
Additionally, Gaetz's legislation would protect Special Forces operators and their families from disclosing personal information.
The legislation would add active and retired military identification cards to the list of acceptable forms of identification for renewing a driver’s license.
A constituent submitted the idea as part of Gaetz's Okaloosa Accountability initiative.
“Considering the extensive background check and verification that goes into one receiving a U.S. military ID, it only seems right to allow our service members to be able to use this identification for the renewal of their driver’s license. I am in full support of this legislation,” said Okaloosa Tax Collector Ben Anderson.
Several groups of Floridians currently have personal information redacted from public disclosure. Such groups include law enforcement, judges, prosecutors, public defenders and corrections officers. Gaetz's legislation adds Special Forces operators to that list.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Under legislation, military ID would qualify residents for driver's license