Committee approves amendment to limit driver's licenses for certain asylum applicants; bill advanced as amended

The House Transportation Committee advanced SB 13 as amended after a contentious debate over whether the state should refuse to recognize driver’s licenses issued to people the bill classifies as undocumented immigrants and whether people with pending asylum claims should be eligible for New Hampshire driving privileges.

Representative Andy Gorski introduced an amendment (2025-1934H) that narrows the bill’s application to out‑of‑state licenses that carry a specific marking indicating they were issued to noncitizens with limited immigration status and removes recognition of work-authorizations as sufficient proof for a license. The amendment was adopted in committee by roll call (8–7) before the committee recorded an “ought to pass as amended” recommendation in executive session (final recorded roll call result in transcript: 9–6).

Proponents argued the bill and amendment address inconsistent vetting among other states and would prevent people who the state cannot verify from receiving driving privileges before immigration adjudications conclude. Representative Gorski said some states issue marked licenses to people with limited status and that New Hampshire should not accept them if the state cannot confirm vetting standards.

Opponents called the change punitive, argued it would harm public safety and described it as a policy that singles out a population awaiting resolution of an asylum claim. Representative Sykes noted that people who request asylum do so under existing federal procedures and are legally present while their cases are pending; he said state driver‑licensing has historically enabled legally present residents to obtain driving privileges. Representative Miller said driver’s licenses are intended to demonstrate driving competency and do not equate to immigration status.

Committee members asked practical questions about enforcement. Several representatives observed that only two states mentioned in testimony — Connecticut and Delaware — place special marks on the licenses at issue; Delaware’s marking, witnesses said, includes a restriction on driving out of state. Committee members pressed how the state would identify marked licenses and enforce nonrecognition for drivers who present those cards.

The committee adopted the amendment and sent SB 13 to the House calendar as amended. Sponsors and critics both said the topic raises questions of federal–state interaction, enforcement practicality and public-safety tradeoffs.