SENATE MEMORIAL 96

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2017

INTRODUCED BY

Jeff Steinborn

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE TAXATION AND REVENUE DEPARTMENT TO CREATE A TWO-TIERED DRIVER'S LICENSE ADVISORY TASK FORCE INCORPORATING A VARIETY OF PERSPECTIVES TO HELP GUIDE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF ISSUANCE OF NEW MEXICO DRIVER'S LICENSES, DRIVING AUTHORIZATION CARDS AND 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, the rollout of the two-tier licensing scheme in New Mexico has not gone as smoothly as hoped; and

     WHEREAS, the taxation and revenue department and those people applying for driver's licenses, driving authorization cards and identification cards have faced difficulties and challenges with the implementation of the new provisions of the Motor Vehicle Code; and

     WHEREAS, there is widespread confusion about what documents are required and accepted by the taxation and revenue department for the issuance of driver's licenses, driving authorization cards and identification cards; and

     WHEREAS, senior citizens, residents of rural areas, those with mobility limitations, homeless people and immigrants, both newly arrived and long-established, have faced obstacles when applying for or renewing their state-issued documents; 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 driver's licenses, driving authorization cards and 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 convene a two-tiered driver's license advisory task force; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the two-tiered driver's license advisory task force include people representing New Mexico's senior citizens, residents of rural areas, those with mobility limitations, homeless people and immigrants, as well as the taxation and revenue department, New Mexico's congressional delegation and anyone else deemed beneficial to the advisory group; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the two-tier driver's license advisory task force study challenges and recommend solutions related to the implementation of the federal REAL ID Act of 2005 and New Mexico's two-tier driver's license structure; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the two-tiered driver's license advisory task force produce a report documenting its findings and recommendations and present that report to the appropriate interim legislative committee; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor, the secretary of taxation and revenue, the members of New Mexico's congressional delegation and the New Mexico legislative council.

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