Many states have passed legislation that supports the federal
Selective Service System registration requirement. Generally,
these state laws require that a man be registered (or prove he
is exempt from the requirement) before he can receive state
student financial assistance or be eligible for state
government jobs.
Most of the state laws mirror, reinforce or strengthen two
federal laws: The Solomon Amendment added
Section 12 (f) to the Military Selective Service Act in
September 1982. Male students who have a requirement to
register with Selective Service must satisfy that requirement
as an eligibility precondition for receipt of Title IV federal
student financial aid. Title IV aid includes such need-based
programs as Guaranteed Student Loans and Pell Grants. In
November 1985, the Thurmond Amendment to the
Defense Authorization Act established Title 5, U.S. Code,
Section 3328, which requires Selective Service System
registration (of men who are required to register) as a
prerequisite for appointment to most federal jobs. The effect
of these Amendments is twofold. They increase public awareness
of the registration requirement and ensure that recipients of
public funds are in compliance with federal law.
Currently, 42 states, three territories and the District of
Columbia have enacted what is often called "Solomon-like" or
"Thurmond-like" legislation linking a man's eligibility for
state-funded higher education benefits or state jobs to the
federal registration requirement, and/or passed laws linking a
man's application for a driver's license or I.D. card with
Selective Service registration.
Here is a listing of the laws and what they provide:
Alabama: Requires Selective Service registration
to be eligible to enter institutions of higher learning.
Registration is also required as a prerequisite for state
employment and promotion. This legislation was signed by Gov.
Guy Hunt in 1991 and became on effective Jan. 1, 1992.
On Oct. 1, 2001, an Alabama law became effective requiring men
to be registered with Selective Service to obtain a state
driver's license. Gov. Don Siegelman signed this
legislation on May 17, 2001.
Alaska: Requires men to register with the
Selective Service System as a precondition to state
employment, to receive state financial aid for school, and
unique to Alaska, to receive a permanent fund dividend. Signed
by Gov. Tony Knowles on June 27, 2002, this bill became
effective on January 1, 2004.
Arizona: Requires registration as a condition
for state financial aid for school as well as a precondition
for state employment. Signed by Gov. Rose Mofford in 1988. On
April 24, 2003, Gov. Janet Napolitano signed into law a bill
that requires Arizona men, 18 through 25 years old, to be
registered to obtain a state driver's license. This law became
effective on July 1, 2003.
Arkansas:
Requires registration as a condition for receiving a
state education loan, scholarship, or other state financial
assistance. Signed into law by Gov. Bill Clinton on Feb. 22,
1989. Also, requires compliance with the Military Selective
Service Act as a precondition for state employment or
enrollment in a public institution of higher learning. Signed
by Gov. Huckabee in 1997. On Feb. 20, 2001, Gov.
Huckabee signed into law a bill which requires men under 26
years old who apply for an Arkansas driver's license, permit,
or renewal to be registered with Selective Service. This law
became effective on Jan. 1, 2002.
California: Requires Selective Service
registration as a precondition for state student financial
aid. Signed into law by Gov. Pete Wilson in 1997.
Colorado: Requires statement of compliance from male
students born after Dec. 31, 1959, before they are allowed to
enroll at a state supported college or university. Gov. Dick
Lamm allowed the bill to become law in 1987. On Aug. 8,
2001, a Colorado law became effective requiring men applying
for a state driver's license to be registered with Selective
Service. Gov. Bill Owens signed the bill on May 30,
2001.
Delaware:
Requires Selective Service registration as a
precondition for state employment and state student financial
aid. Signed by Gov. Michael N. Castle in 1986. On Aug.
4, 2000, Gov. Thomas R. Carper signed into law a bill which
registers men 18 through 25 with Selective Service when they
apply for a Delaware driver's license, permit, or state I.D.
card, if they are required under federal law to be so
registered.
District of Columbia: On April 27, 2001, Mayor
Anthony Williams signed a law stipulating that men 18 through
25 years old in the District may register with the SSS when
they apply to obtain or renew a District driver's license.
Florida: Requires Selective Service registration
as a precondition for state student financial aid. Signed by
Gov. Bob Graham in 1985. A law signed by Gov. Bob Martinez in
1988 requires registration as a precondition for state
employment. On July 1, 2001, a Florida law became
effective requiring men to be registered with Selective
Service to obtain a state driver's license. Gov. Jeb
Bush signed this legislation on June 5, 2001.
Georgia: Requires Selective Service registration
as a precondition for state student financial aid. Signed by
Gov. Joe Frank Harris in 1986. A law signed by Gov. Zell
Miller effective, July 1, 1998, requires proof of registration
as a precondition for state employment. On July 1, 2001,
a Georgia law became effective which requires men to be
registered with Selective Service to obtain a state driver's
license. Gov. Roy Barnes signed this legislation on
April 18, 2001.
Guam: On May 3, 2004, Gov. Felix P. Camacho signed a
law stipulating that men 18 through 25 years old in Guam may
register with the SSS when they apply to obtain or renew a
state driver’s license. This law becomes effective on Sept. 1,
2004.
Hawaii: A law became effective on Jan. 1, 2002,
requiring Selective Service registration as a condition for
applying for and receiving a state driver's license.
This law was signed by Gov. Benjamin J. Cayetano on May 3,
2001.
Idaho: Young men must be registered to be
eligible for state employment and state enrollment in post
secondary institutions, including financial aid for this
schooling. Signed by Gov. Dirk Kempthorne on March 26, 1999.
On March 21, 2002, Gov. Kempthorne signed a law stipulating
that men 18 through 25 years old in Idaho may register with
the SSS when they apply to obtain or renew a state driver's
license. This law became effective on July 1, 2002.
Illinois: Enacted two pieces of legislation: One
requires Selective Service registration as a precondition for
state student financial aid and the other requires
registration as a precondition for state employment. Gov.
James Thompson signed these in 1984 and 1989, respectively.
On Jan. 1, 2002, an Illinois law became effective requiring
men to be registered with Selective Service to obtain a state
driver's license. Gov. George Ryan signed this
legislation on July 20, 2001.
Indiana: On April 25, 2007, Governor Mitch
Daniels signed into law a bill given the option for men 18
through 25 to register with Selective Service when obtaining a
state drivers license or an identification card.
Iowa: On April 21, 2003, Gov. Tom Vilsack signed
into law a bill that requires Iowa men, 18 through 25 years
old, to be registered to obtain a state driver's license. This
law became effective on July 1, 2003.
Kansas: On April 10, 2003, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius
signed into law a bill that requires Kansas men, 18 through 25
years old, to be registered to obtain a state driver's
license. This law became effective on July 1, 2003.
Kentucky: State regulations require a statement
of Selective Service registration status as a precondition for
participating in the state educational loan program. On March
12, 2003, Gov. Paul E. Patton signed into law a bill which
registers men 18 through 25 with Selective Service when they
apply for a Kentucky driver's license, permit, or state I.D.
card, if they are required under federal law to be so
registered. This law became effective on July 1, 2003.
Louisiana: Enacted two pieces of legislation. One
requires Selective Service registration for entry to any state
school. Gov. Edwin Edwards signed this legislation in 1985.
The other requires registration to be eligible for certain
classified and unclassified state civil service positions.
Signed by Gov. Murphy J. (Mike) Foster in 1999. On Jan.
1, 2002, a Louisiana law became effective requiring Louisiana
men to be registered with Selective Service to obtain a state
driver's license. Gov. Foster signed this legislation on
June 25, 2001.
Maine: Requires Selective Service registration as
a precondition for state student financial aid. Signed by Gov.
John McKernan in 1987.
Optional drivers license legislation enacted (without
governor’s signature) on 5/18/2011.
Maryland:
On May
6, 2002, Gov. Parris N. Glendening signed a law requiring
Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration to place options on
application forms to allow men 18 through 25 years old to
register with Selective Service. However, the law never went
into effect because it was expressly conditioned on receipt of
federal funding.
Massachusetts: Requires Selective Service
registration as a precondition for state student financial
aid. Gov. Michael Dukakis allowed the bill to become law in
1984.
Michigan: On January 4, 2007, Governor Jennifer
M. Granholm signed into law a bill that requires men 18
through 25 to be registered to obtain a state driver's license
or an identification card.
Minnesota: On May 13,2004, Gov. Tim Pawlenty signed a law
requiring Minnesota men to be registered with the SSS as a condition for
obtaining a state driver’s license.
Mississippi: Enacted two pieces of legislation.
One requires Selective Service registration as a precondition
for state student financial aid. Gov. William Allain signed
this legislation in 1984. The other requires registration as a
precondition for state employment and was signed by Gov. Kirk
Fordice in 1999. On March 19, 2002, Gov. Ronnie Musgrove
signed a law requiring Mississippi men to be registered with
the SSS as a condition for obtaining a state driver's license.
This law became effective on Sept. 1, 2002.
Missouri: Requires Selective Service registration as a
precondition for state employment and state student financial
aid. Signed by Gov. Mel Carnahan on July 14,1999. On July 11,
2002, Gov. Bob Holden signed a law allowing Missouri men to be
registered with the SSS when they apply to obtain a state
driver’s license or instruction permit application. This law
became effective on Aug. 28, 2002.
Montana: Requires Selective Service
registration as a precondition for state employment and state
student financial aid. Signed by Gov. Judy Martz on April 21,
2001.
Nevada: On May
22, 2009, Gov. Jim Gibbons signed a law stipulating that men 18
through 25 years old in Nevada may register with the SSS when
they apply to obtain or renew a state driver's license. This law
will become effective on July 1, 2010.
New Hampshire: Young men must be registered to be
eligible for state employment and state enrollment in post
secondary institutions, including financial aid for this
schooling. Signed by Gov. Jeanne Shaheen July 31, 1998. On May
8, 2002, Gov. Shaheen signed a law stipulating that men 18
through 25 years old in New Hampshire may register with the
SSS when they apply to obtain or renew a state driver's
license. This law became effective on July 7, 2002.
New Jersey: Requires Selective Service
registration as a precondition for state student financial
aid. Gov. Christine Todd Whitman signed this legislation in
1997.
New Mexico: On April 9, 2003, Gov. Bill
Richardson signed into law a bill that requires New Mexico
men, 18 through 25 years old, to be registered to obtain a
state driver's license. This law became effective on July 1,
2003.
New York: On Sept. 17, 2002, Gov. George E.
Pataki signed into law a bill that requires New York men, 18
through 25 years old, to be registered to obtain a state
driver's license. This law became effective on March 17, 2003.
North Carolina: Enacted two pieces of
legislation: One requires Selective Service registration for
certain veterans’ dependents financial aid programs and the
other requires registration as a precondition for state
employment and state educational assistance. Gov. James Martin
signed these bills in 1985 and 1989. On October 17, 2002, Gov.
Michael Easley signed into law a bill that requires North
Carolina men, 18 through 25 years old, to be registered to
obtain a state driver's license. This law became effective on
April 01, 2003.
North Dakota: Requires Selective Service
registration as a precondition for student financial aid.
Signed by Gov. George Sinner in 1987.
Northern Mariana Islands: Requires Selective
Service registration as a prerequisite to employment with the
Commonwealth government. Signed by Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio, the
legislation became effective March 15, 1999. A law
signed on Nov. 30, 2001, by Gov. Tenorio requires young men,
18 through 25 years old, to be registered with Selective
Service to obtain a driver's license or renewal.
Ohio: Requires Selective Service registration as
a precondition for state student financial aid. Requires any
resident male not registered with Selective Service to pay out
of state tuition rate. Gov. Richard Celeste allowed this bill
to become law in 1986. On Nov. 2, 2001, Gov. Bob Taft
signed a law requiring Ohio men to be registered with the SSS
as a condition for obtaining a state driver's license.
This law became effective on Aug. 1, 2002.
Oklahoma: Requires Selective Service registration
as a precondition for state student financial aid. Signed by
Gov. Henry Bellmon in 1987. On June 1, 2000, Gov. Frank
Keating signed into law a requirement that Oklahoma men, 18
through 25 years old, to be registered with Selective Service
to obtain a state driver's license or permit.
Puerto Rico:
Optional drivers license legislation signed into law by the
governor on 12/12/2011.
Rhode Island: On June 26, 2002, a bill became law
requiring Rhode Island men, 18 through 25 years old, to be
registered with Selective Service to obtain a state driver's
license or permit.
South Carolina: On June 5, 2002, Gov. Jim Hodges
signed into law a bill that requires South Carolina men, 18
through 25 years old, to be registered to obtain a state
driver's license.
South Dakota: Requires Selective Service
registration before acceptance to all state schools and as a
precondition to state employment. Signed by Gov. George S.
Mickelson in 1988. On Feb. 23, 2002, Gov. William J. Janklow
signed a law requiring South Dakota men to be registered with
the SSS as a condition for obtaining a state driver's license.
Tennessee: Requires Selective Service
registration before acceptance to all state schools. Signed by
Gov. Lamar Alexander in 1984. Registration is also required as
a precondition for state employment. Gov. Ned McWherter signed
this legislation in 1987. On May 29, 2002, Gov. Don
Sundquist signed a law requiring Tennessee men, 18 through 25
years old, to be registered to obtain a state driver's
license. This law became effective on Dec. 1, 2002.
Texas: Requires men to be in compliance with the
registration requirement to be eligible for state student
financial assistance. The law was passed in 1997. Effective
Sept. 1, 1999, state employment is contingent upon Selective
Service registration or exemption. On June 15, 2001, Gov. Rick
Perry signed a law stipulating that men 18 through 25 years
old in Texas may register with the SSS when they apply to
obtain or renew a state driver's license. This law became
effective on Dec. 9, 2002.
Automatic drivers license
legislation signed into law by the governor on 5/28/2011.
Utah: Requires Selective Service registration as
a precondition for state student financial aid. Signed by Gov.
Michael O. Leavitt in March 1998. On March 15, 2001,
Gov. Leavitt signed into law a bill conditioning receipt of a
Utah driver's license or state identification card on SSS
registration for men required to be registered. The
law became effective on April 30, 2001.
Virgin Islands: Was signed on Feb. 20, 2002, by
Gov. Charles Turnbull requires young men in the Commonwealth,
18 through 25 years old, to be registered with Selective
Service to obtain a driver's license or renewal.
Virginia:
Enacted two pieces of legislation. One requires
Selective Service registration as a precondition for student
financial aid. Signed by Gov. James Gilmore on April 14, 1998,
and became effective July 1, 1998. The other requires
registration as a precondition for state employment and was
signed by Gov. Gilmore April 5, 1999. On March 6, 2002, Gov.
Mark Warner signed into law a bill which requires men to be
registered with Selective Service to obtain a state driver's
license. This law became effective on July 2, 2002.
Washington:
Washington State became
the 39th Drivers License Legislation state enacted and signed
by Governor Christine Gregoire on May 16, 2011, as an optional
legislation.
West Virginia: Requires Selective Service
registration as a precondition for state student financial aid
and state employment. Gov. Cecil H. Underwood signed the bill
April 8, 1999, to become effective July 1, 1999. On June 9,
2002, a West Virginia law became effective which gives men the
option to be registered with Selective Service to obtain a
state driver's license. Gov. Bob Wise signed this legislation
on April 2, 2002.
Wisconsin: Requires Selective Service
registration as a precondition for state employment and state
student financial aid. The bill was signed by Gov. Scott
McCallum on Aug. 30, 2001 and became effective Jan. 1, 2002.
On April 22, 2002, Gov. McCullum signed into law a bill
requiring Wisconsin men, 18 through 25 years old, to be
registered with Selective Service to obtain a driver's license
or renewal. This law became effective on Nov. 1, 2002.
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