2007 House Bill 5518

Mandate proof of citizenship for drivers license

Introduced in the House

Dec. 4, 2007

Introduced by Rep. Phil Pavlov (R-81)

To require a person applying for a drivers license to provide documents showing the applicant's full legal name history and date of birth, his or her address and residency, and which demonstrate that the applicant is a U.S. citizen, is an alien lawfully admitted for permanent or temporary residence, or has conditional permanent resident status in the U.S. The bill also requires the Secretary of State to verify that the documents are genuine, check applicants against a federal citizenship database, and use digital photos on drivers licenses. 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

Dec. 11, 2008

Substitute offered by Rep. Marsha Cheeks (D-6) and eight co-sponsors

Co-sponsored by Reps. Paul Condino (D-35), Morris Hood (D-11), Hoon-Yung Hopgood (D-22), George Cushingberry (D-8), Lee Gonzales (D-49), Robert Dean (D-75), Robert Jones (D-60) and Coleman Young (D-4)

To replace the previous version of the bill with one would that allow a driver license to be reinstated for persons making up delinquent "bad driver tax" liabilities through installment payments.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. George Cushingberry (D-8)

To raise an certain additional truck licensing fee from $5.75 to $8.00.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Richard Hammel (D-48)

To repeal the “driver responsibility fees” imposed by <a href="http://www.michiganvotes.org/2003-SB-509">Public Act 165 of 2003</a>, and make up the revenue by imposing a new $35 "assessment" on each moving violation conviction, on top of a current $15 fee. Note: Under current law, except for these "bad driver" surtaxes, revenue from regular driving law violations does not go to the state general fund, in order to avoid creating direct fiscal incentives for writing more tickets.

The amendment passed by voice vote