Teh One Who Knocks
04-24-2013, 10:26 PM
By Yesenia Robles - The Denver Post
The Colorado Senate passed on a voice vote a bill on Wednesday to allow immigrants who are in the country illegally to obtain a driver's license after passing an amendment that changes the look of the license for the third time.
Wednesday's amendment changes the language of the marked note on the bill to specify that the license is not valid for federal purposes, voting or public benefits.
The bill would create a separate process for a new category of driver's licenses that would be marked to ensure the state's continued compliance with federal guidelines, and therefore making the license invalid for boarding an airplane, entering federal buildings or for voting.
Initially the bill, Senate Bill 251, would have required a marked restriction that said "noncitizen," but that language has been replaced by the amendment.
Sen. Jessie Ulibarri, D-Commerce City, who introduced the legislation said those measures were necessary for bipartisan support. The bill's first tests however, in the judiciary and appropriations committees have not registered any Republican supporting votes.
In order to obtain the license, immigrants would have to present copies of state tax returns, a federal tax identification number and proof of identity from their country of origin, such as a passport or consulate card.
Applicant's would also have to pass a driving test like other applicants.
Sen. Kevin Lundberg, R-Berthoud, in committee has said he thinks the bill is a step backward for Colorado's system of verifying legality for driver's licenses and questioned if the bill would encourage more people to come to the state illegally.
Supporters say that impact would be minimal, and say benefits such as having more drivers insured and identified are more important.
They also tout the fiscal note which confirmed the bill would increase state revenue.
According to the fiscal note that considers the bill's amendment, the state's cash fund revenue is expected in increase in the first year by $897,151, and then by slightly more than $300,000 in the following years. After the estimated $855,686 in new expenses for the first year, and about $225,861 in following years, the state could stand to earn $41,465, in the first year and about $77,337 for the following years.
Colorado barred undocumented immigrants from obtaining a driver's license in 1999.
A handful of states, including Washington, New Mexico, Illinois, and just recently Maryland, now allow undocumented immigrants to get drivers licenses.
The Colorado Senate passed on a voice vote a bill on Wednesday to allow immigrants who are in the country illegally to obtain a driver's license after passing an amendment that changes the look of the license for the third time.
Wednesday's amendment changes the language of the marked note on the bill to specify that the license is not valid for federal purposes, voting or public benefits.
The bill would create a separate process for a new category of driver's licenses that would be marked to ensure the state's continued compliance with federal guidelines, and therefore making the license invalid for boarding an airplane, entering federal buildings or for voting.
Initially the bill, Senate Bill 251, would have required a marked restriction that said "noncitizen," but that language has been replaced by the amendment.
Sen. Jessie Ulibarri, D-Commerce City, who introduced the legislation said those measures were necessary for bipartisan support. The bill's first tests however, in the judiciary and appropriations committees have not registered any Republican supporting votes.
In order to obtain the license, immigrants would have to present copies of state tax returns, a federal tax identification number and proof of identity from their country of origin, such as a passport or consulate card.
Applicant's would also have to pass a driving test like other applicants.
Sen. Kevin Lundberg, R-Berthoud, in committee has said he thinks the bill is a step backward for Colorado's system of verifying legality for driver's licenses and questioned if the bill would encourage more people to come to the state illegally.
Supporters say that impact would be minimal, and say benefits such as having more drivers insured and identified are more important.
They also tout the fiscal note which confirmed the bill would increase state revenue.
According to the fiscal note that considers the bill's amendment, the state's cash fund revenue is expected in increase in the first year by $897,151, and then by slightly more than $300,000 in the following years. After the estimated $855,686 in new expenses for the first year, and about $225,861 in following years, the state could stand to earn $41,465, in the first year and about $77,337 for the following years.
Colorado barred undocumented immigrants from obtaining a driver's license in 1999.
A handful of states, including Washington, New Mexico, Illinois, and just recently Maryland, now allow undocumented immigrants to get drivers licenses.