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Committee hears testimony on bill to add citizenship marker to Montana driver—s licenses; tribal representatives oppose on cost grounds
Summary
Senate Bill 91, which would add a "citizenship" marker to driver—s licenses and ID cards, drew a mix of technical testimony and tribal opposition at a Senate Finance and Claims hearing. Lawmakers asked technical questions about cost, implementation and the federal SAVE verification system; no vote was taken.
Senator Teresa Manzella opened a hearing on Senate Bill 91 on the proposed citizenship marker for Montana driver—s licenses and identification cards, saying a new licensing system and federal verification tools make the change possible and asking the committee to "pass" the bill. The sponsor said a pink fiscal note shows a $176,941 cost and that the state—s CARS system and the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements program (SAVE) would be used.
The bill drew technical witnesses from licensing and card contractor vendors and sharp opposition from tribal representatives who called the change unnecessary and costly. "Senate Bill 91 is an excessive measure and a financial burden on Montana…
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