2007 Senate Bill 962

Mandate proof of citizenship for drivers license

Introduced in the Senate

Dec. 6, 2007

Introduced by Sen. Alan Sanborn (R-11)

To require a person applying for a drivers license to provide documents showing the applicant's full legal name history, date of birth and his or her address and residency, and which demonstrate that the applicant is a U.S. citizen, an alien lawfully admitted for permanent or temporary residence, or has conditional permanent resident status in the U.S. Drivers licenses would contain bar codes with certain personal identification items, and licenses of resident aliens would expire when their visa expires. The bill also requires the Secretary of State to verify that the documents presented are genuine, check applicants against a federal citizenship database, and retain copies of the verification documents. It would also raise drivers license fees by $10, and renewal fees by $12. The bill would bring Michigan drivers licenses into compliance with the federal REAL ID Act.

Referred to the Committee on Transportation

Feb. 5, 2008

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details but does not change the substance of the bill as previously described.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Feb. 6, 2008

Substitute offered by Sen. John Gleason (D-27)

To adopt a version of the bill that does not include the federal "Real ID" act provisions, including the requirement that the Secretary of State check the citizenship or legal resident status of drivers license and state ID card applicants against a real-time database. Instead, the substitute would just clarify that these documents may be issued to non-citizens who are legally in the state.

The substitute failed 16 to 21 (details)

Passed in the Senate 28 to 9 (details)

Received in the House

Feb. 6, 2008

Referred to the Committee on Transportation