ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Phoenix, Arizona
Eliminates the requirement
that an applicant for a driver license, a nonoperating identification license
or an instruction permit must provide proof of legal citizenship in the United
States.
Legislation adopted in 1996
required an applicant for a driver license, nonoperating identification license
or an instruction permit to provide proof of citizenship within the United
States (Laws 1996, Chapter 230). Later
that same year, the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) implemented
“authorized presence.” Authorized
presence requires an applicant to show two forms of identification, one of which
must be a valid proof of United States citizenship.
In order to legally operate
a motor vehicle on a highway, an individual must have a valid driver license,
current vehicle registration and the minimum legal liability coverage. Currently, there is no statute that requires
a person to possess a valid driver license to obtain auto insurance. However, it may be an insurance company's
individual policy to require a driver license.
According to the Joint
Legislative Budget Committee (JLBC), this bill would have a negative annual
impact of $234,100 to the State Highway Fund, including an increased revenue of
$1,205,900 and an increased cost of $1,440,000 beginning in FY 2001-2002. Assumptions made by JLBC regarding this
fiscal impact are contained in the fiscal note associated with S.B. 1531.
1. Removes the requirement that the applicant show proof of legal United States citizenship to apply for a driver license, nonoperating identification license or a temporary driver permit.
2. Eliminates the Arizona Department of Transportation’s authority to deny a driver license, an instructional permit or a nonoperating identification license to an individual who has been deported or reinstate such documents for a person whose citizenship has been restored.
3. Allows an applicant for a driver license or instruction permit to provide a taxpayer identification number, a letter from the social security administration stating that the applicant does not have a social security number, a sworn affidavit, or a foreign passport if the applicant does not possess a social security number.
4. Specifies that the possession of a driver license, instruction permit, or a nonoperating identification license is not proof of legal United States citizenship.
5. Makes conforming changes.
6. Provides for a general effective date.
Prepared by Senate Staff
February 14, 2001