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A House committee held a bill that could revoke driver privilege cards.
The House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee on Tuesday opted to wait until its next meeting to review House Bill 239, sponsored by Rep. Glenn Donnelson, R-North Ogden. Donnelson said in 2007 the Driver's License Division issued 41,000 driver privilege cards. Opponents of the cards say they are often obtained by undocumented immigrants. "It raises national security concerns," Donnelson said. "Utah is becoming a magnet for illegal aliens." All driver privilege cards issued to people with temporary identification numbers would be revoked as of Dec. 31, 2008, according to the bill. The driver's license division would also not be able to issue any more driver privilege cards to anyone with a temporary identification numbers. The numbers are issued by the IRS for tax purposes, not for identity purposes, Donnelson said. People who get the driver privilege card could use the cards for mortgage fraud, gang activity and money laundry, Donnelson said. "Do you have any proof of that?" said Rep. David Litvack, D-Salt Lake City. "No, I don't have proof," Donnelson said. "Those are strong accusations to make without proof," Litvack said. Salt Lake County Assessor Lee Gardner spoke in opposition to the bill saying it would create a public safety problem in Utah. "There would be no reason to get a driver's license and no insurance," Gardner said. Rep. Curt Oda, R-Clearfield, said he is in the insurance business and the majority of the people who have driver privilege cards cancel their insurance within 60 days after they sign up. HB 239 Driver License Qualification Amendments Sponsor: Glenn Donnelson, R-North Ogden This bill would modify the Public Safety Code by amending driver license provisions. |
