SENATE MEMORIAL 25

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2018

INTRODUCED BY

Elizabeth "Liz" Stefanics and Jeff Steinborn

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE MOTOR VEHICLE DIVISION OF THE TAXATION AND REVENUE DEPARTMENT TO REPORT ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF EASY-TO-UNDERSTAND GUIDELINES FOR THE ISSUANCE OF NEW MEXICO DRIVER'S LICENSES, DRIVING AUTHORIZATION CARDS AND REAL-ID-COMPLIANT AND NON-REAL-ID-COMPLIANT IDENTIFICATION CARDS.

     WHEREAS, in 2016, the legislature passed and the governor signed a law aiming to bring New Mexico into compliance with the federal REAL ID Act of 2005 with a two-tier driver's license structure; and

     WHEREAS, in 2017, meetings of many stakeholder groups around the state and the taxation and revenue department convened and agreed upon some standards that could clarify the process for those individuals having problems with the rollout of the two-tier licensing scheme in New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, the taxation and revenue department and those people applying for driver's licenses, driving authorization cards and REAL-ID-compliant and non-REAL-ID-compliant identification cards have continued to face difficulties and challenges with the implementation of the new provisions of the Motor Vehicle Code and rules promulgated by the taxation and revenue department in that effort; and

     WHEREAS, there is still statewide and widespread confusion about what documents are required and accepted by the federal government and the taxation and revenue department for the issuance of driver's licenses, driving authorization cards and REAL-ID-compliant and non-REAL-ID-compliant identification cards; and

     WHEREAS, senior citizens, especially those of the World War II era and older; adopted individuals; residents of rural areas; those with mobility limitations; Native Americans; homeless people; immigrants, both newly arrived and long-established; and individuals with expired or lost documents have faced obstacles when applying for or renewing their state-issued documents; and

     WHEREAS, deadlines and implementation guidelines imposed by the federal government regarding the federal REAL ID Act of 2005 have changed repeatedly, with some changes made as recently as January 2018, which has added more confusion to the process; and

     WHEREAS, the taxation and revenue department and all of the people of New Mexico would benefit from a streamlined and easy-to-understand process for the application for and issuance of New Mexico driver's licenses, driving authorization cards and REAL-ID-compliant and non-REAL-ID-compliant identification cards;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the taxation and revenue department be requested to report back to the interim legislative health and human services committee and other appropriate interim committees no later than August 2018 to provide a report with an update on implementation of changes since 2017 and changes in deadlines and guidelines issued by the federal government regarding the REAL ID Act of 2005; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that parties representing New Mexico's senior citizens, especially those of the World War II era and older; adopted individuals; residents of rural areas; those with mobility limitations; homeless people; immigrants, both newly arrived and long-established; and individuals with expired or lost documents who have faced obstacles when applying for or renewing their state-issued documents be able to report to the same legislative committees on continued problems or perceived solutions; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor, the secretary of taxation and revenue and the co-chairs of the New Mexico legislative council.

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