66.0438 Limitations on locally issued identification cards.

(1) Definition. In this section, “public assistance benefits" means services, benefits, payments, or other assistance provided under a program administered by the department of health services or the department of children and families under s. 253.06 or ch. 49.

(2) Towns and counties.

(a) Except as provided in par. (b), no town or county may issue, or expend any funds for the issuance of, a photo identification card for any resident of the town or county.

(b) Notwithstanding par. (a), a town or county may issue, or expend funds for the issuance of, a photo identification card to any of the following individuals or for any of the following purposes:

1. An employee or elected official of the town or county, if the photo identification card relates to the employee's or official's job duties.

2. An employee of a vendor or contractor that contracts with the town or county, or an employee of a subcontractor that contracts with such a vendor or contractor, if the photo identification card relates to the employee's job duties for the town or county.

3. To use a transit system owned or operated by the town or county.

4. To use or access services or facilities owned by the town or county.

5. An employee of, or a student who is attending, an institution of higher education that contracts with the town or county, if the photo identification card relates to the employee's or student's job duties for the town or county.

(c) If a town or county has issued an identification card, other than a card described in par. (b), that has been used before April 27, 2016, as an identification document to establish proof of residence under s. 6.34 (3) (a) 3., that card is not valid for such purposes on or after April 27, 2016.

(3) Cities and villages.

(a) If a city or village issues, or expends funds for the issuance of, a photo identification card for any resident of the city or village, the card must state clearly on its face, in 12 point type, “Not authorized for voting purposes."

(b) A photo identification card issued by, or at the direction of, a city or village, as described under par. (a), may not be used for any of the following purposes:

1. As an identification document to establish proof of residence under s. 6.34 (3) (a) 3.

2. As proof of identification under s. 6.79 (2), 6.82 (1) (a), 6.86, 6.87, or 6.875.

3. To obtain public assistance benefits.

(c) If a city or village has issued an identification card that has been used before April 27, 2016, as an identification document to establish proof of residence under s. 6.34 (3) (a) 3., that card is not valid for such purposes on or after April 27, 2016.

History: 2015 a. 374.