South Coast residents who want to help determine what documents the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles will accept to prove citizenship can attend a meeting to be held in the Bay Area this week.

At 6 p.m. on Wednesday, residents can attend a public hearing to be held in the Myrtlewood Meeting Room at the Coos Bay Public Library, 525 Anderson Ave.

Starting July 1, everyone who applies for a new, renewal or replacement Oregon driver’s license, permit or identification card will need to bring documents to prove that they are citizens of the United States or otherwise in the country legally.

The new requirements are a result of Senate Bill 1080, passed by the February Legislative session and signed by the governor to tighten issuance requirements for Oregon driver’s licenses and ID cards.

“It’s important for Oregonians to know that these requirements apply to all individuals, not just people applying for driving privileges or an Oregon ID card for the first time,” DMV Administrator Tom McClellan said in a press release.

“Even if your license or ID card doesn’t expire for months or years, it’s a good idea to start preparing now,” McClellan said. “Make sure you have your government-issued birth certificate, Social Security card, U.S. passport or any other forms of ID stored safely. And remember, it takes time to obtain some of these documents.”

 Oregonians have an opportunity during April to help the DMV determine what documents will be required to prove citizenship or show that an individual is in the country legally. The public comment period for the administrative rules under the new law continues through May 2.

“For example, we expect birth certificates to be one of the documents that proves U.S. citizenship, as well as identity,” McClellan said.

“But what about citizens who’ve never had a birth certificate? Public input is vital in dealing with questions like that.”

In addition, the new law will require proof of a Social Security number, such as a Social Security card or an income tax document. The number will be verified electronically – a step already automated in the DMV’s computer system since Feb. 4 under an executive order by Gov. Kulongoski.

For applicants who do not have a Social Security number, the new law will require proof they are not eligible for one before a driver license or ID card may be issued.

“That’s why it’s important to start preparing well before your license or ID card expires,” McClellan said. “If you are a U.S. citizen with no Social Security number or birth certificate, for example, it takes time to obtain these documents.”

Oregonians may read the proposed rules on these new ID requirements and submit their comments online at http://egov.oregon.gov/ODOT/CS/RULES/dmv_actions.shtml. Comments also can be made online at the site, or by sending them to ODOT Rules Coordinatoe, 355 Capitol St. NE, Room 29, Salem, OR 97301.

More information about the new state ID requirements and on other changes or proposed changes to driver’s license and ID card rules can be found online at http://www.OregonDMV.com.