Bill Text: IN SR0006 | 2010 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Study committee on temporary driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2010-03-11 - Second reading: adopted Voice Vote [SR0006 Detail]
Download: Indiana-2010-SR0006-Introduced.html
A SENATE RESOLUTION urging the Legislative Council to
assign to the appropriate interim study committee the topic of
determining whether Indiana should allow temporary driver's
licenses for undocumented immigrants.
, read first time and referred to Committee on
MADAM PRESIDENT:
I offer the following resolution and move its adoption:
A SENATE RESOLUTION urging the Legislative Council
to assign to the appropriate interim study committee the topic of
determining whether Indiana should allow temporary driver's
licenses for undocumented immigrants.
Whereas, Obtaining a driver's license in Indiana requires
proof of a valid Social Security Number, or in the case of
documented immigrants, a letter of ineligibility from the Social
Security Administration;
Whereas, Undocumented immigrants cannot legally obtain
a driver's license in Indiana, and therefore cannot obtain
automobile liability insurance;
Whereas, Indiana requires drivers to have liability
insurance;
Whereas, According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic
Safety, unlicensed drivers are almost five times more likely to be
in a fatal crash than are validly licensed drivers;
Whereas, According to the Insurance Research Council, approximately fourteen percent (14%) of drivers nationwide are
uninsured;
Whereas, Accidents involving uninsured motorists cause
billions of dollars in losses annually and drive up premium costs
for those who do purchase insurance;
Whereas, Operating a motor vehicle is a vital key to
participating in the state's economy and Indiana's license
requirements curtail economic growth and productivity;
Whereas, Some states now provide for temporary driver's
licenses for undocumented individuals who obtain an Individual
Tax Identification Number from the Internal Revenue Service
and who can show proof of state residence, which licenses allow
the holder to operate a motor vehicle in the state, but may not be
used as a means of identification;
Whereas, States that allow undocumented immigrants to
obtain driver's licenses have experienced a drop of as much as
twenty percent (20%) in the number of uninsured motorists, and
estimate millions of dollars in cost savings for insurance
premiums; and
Whereas, There is a need to determine whether Indiana
would benefit by providing for temporary driver's licenses for
undocumented immigrants that would allow the holder to
operate a motor vehicle in Indiana, but may not be used as a
means of identification: Therefore,
SECTION 1. That the Legislative Council is urged to require the appropriate interim study committee to determine whether Indiana should allow temporary driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants.
SECTION 2. That the study committee, if directed to study the issue and make the determination set forth in SECTION 1, shall operate under the direction of the Legislative Council and shall issue a final
report on its findings when directed by the council to do so.
