h_lg_2017a_2017-03-15t13:30:26z1 Hearing Summary

Date: 03/15/2017

Location: HCR 0107

01:42 PM -- HB17-1206



Representatives Singer and Arndt, co-sponsors, explained the bill. This bill relates to the Colorado Road and Community Safety Act (Senate Bill 13-251), which allows for a person who is not lawfully present in the United States to obtain a driver's license or identification card if certain requirements are met. One of the requirements is that the person present an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). This bill allows a Social Security Number (SSN) to also meet this requirement. The bill also allows the license or identification card to be reissued or renewed in accordance with the process used for other licenses and identification cards. The representatives explained that these changes would provide a more efficient way to obtain a driver's license. A similar policy in Utah resulted in a smaller number of uninsured motorists.



01:53 PM -- Mateo Lozano Arroyave, representing himself, spoke in favor of the bill. He explained that having the option of using a SSN as a form of identification to obtain a driver's license would be more secure, and the renewal provisions in the bill would expedite the driver's license process as well. He answered questions from the committee.



02:03 PM -- Cendy Angeles, representing herself, spoke in favor of the bill and answered questions from the committee.



02:06 PM -- Catherine Chan, representing herself as a local immigration attorney, testified in favor of the bill. She explained the difference between ITIN and SSN and stated that using a SSN to obtain a driver license is less subject to fraud. She answered questions from the committee.





02:12 PM



Representative Singer distributed a handout with a picture of a Colorado driver license that is currently issued to undocumented individuals (Attachment A).



17HouseLocal0315AttachA.pdf



02:13 PM -- Celeste Martinez, representing Together Colorado, spoke in favor of the bill and distributed a packet of information (Attachment B).



17HouseLocal0315AttachB.pdf



02:16 PM -- Victor Galvin, representing the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition, spoke in favor of the measure. He explained the steps an undocumented individual must go through to obtain a driver license and answered questions from the committee.



02:28 PM -- Mike Dixson, representing the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), offered a neutral position on the bill. He answered questions about the DMV and the process in which an undocumented individual must go through to obtain a driver's license.



02:37 PM -- Anna Rodriguez, representing the Colorado People's Alliance, spoke in favor of the bill.



02:41 PM -- Salvador Hernandez, representing Mi Familia Vota, spoke in favor of the bill.



02:44 PM -- Saul Mejia, representing himself, spoke in favor of the bill. He explained that it takes an inordinate amount of time for an undocumented individual to obtain a driver's license, and it took him upwards of six months to make an initial appointment.





02:51 PM



Representative Singer distributed amendment L.001 (Attachment C). He explained that the amendment addresses the effective date and includes a safety clause. He answered questions from the committee.



17HouseLocal0315AttachC.pdf

02:53 PM



Representatives Singer and Arndt made closing remarks and answered questions from the committee.

03:06 PM



The meeting adjourned.