Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends the requirements and regulations for driver's licenses issued to foreign nationals and increases penalties for false documentation.

Highlights:

• Requires a foreign national who does not provide a social security number when applying for a driver’s license, provisional license, or instruction permit to provide the following (Sec. 1):
• Individual tax identification number;
• Proof of identification from the country of citizenship in the form of one of the following:
• A birth certificate; or
• Photo identification issued by the foreign consulate;
• Two separate forms establishing 6 consecutive months of residency in New Mexico which may include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Utility bills;
• Bank statements;
• Rental agreements; or
• School records;
• A signed and notarized declaration affirming the authenticity of the provided documents; and
• Two fingerprint cards or their electronic equivalent.

• Specifies that a driver’s license issued to a foreign national who does not provide a social security number will not be valid for more than two years (Sec. 3).

• Establishes a $5.00 fee for a driver’s license and a $6.50 fee for a provisional driver’s license issued to a foreign national who does not provide a social security number in the application (Secs. 4 & 5).

• Establishes the following acts as felony offenses (Sec. 6):  
• A department employee or contractor knowingly:
• Accepting fraudulent documents in a driver’s license application;
• Altering a record; or 
• Soliciting or accepting anything of value for the purpose of influencing a decision or action.
• A foreign national applicant knowingly providing false documents in the driver’s license application or accepting any form of payment for a driver’s license, provisional license, or an instruction permit; and

• Requires that written notice be provided to individuals who were issued an instruction permit, driver’s license, or provisional license without a social security number prior to July 1, 2012 that the license will be cancelled if the individual does not submit (Sec.7):
• Their social security number within 2 years; or
• A new application.

Full Bill Text