Bill would flag motor‑vehicle registrations with temporary credentials to prevent ineligible registrations; passes committee 13-0

Senate Bill 137, discussed and voted out of committee unanimously, would add statutory language clarifying that when the Bureau of Motor Vehicles transmits motor‑voter registration packets it must include whether the applicant presented temporary credentials. The transmission would allow counties to follow up with registrants who presented temporary documentation and verify eligibility before their registration is perfected.

Senator Bohachik, the bill sponsor, said the change fills a gap created by prior motor‑voter legislation: people lawfully present on temporary visas sometimes register after getting a license and, if they then vote, may put their immigration status at risk. The bill would flag registrations submitted with temporary credentials so county clerks can contact the registrant and request supporting documentation before completing the registration.

Angie Nussmeyer, Democratic co‑director of the Indiana Election Division, testified the division already receives temporary‑credential information from the BMV and that the bill clarifies statutory language so the data packet explicitly includes that field when agencies execute a memorandum of understanding. Keegan Prentice of the Secretary of State’s office also testified in support, describing the change as clarifying existing practice.

Common Cause Indiana’s executive director, Julia Vaughn, testified in opposition, calling the bill unnecessary and warning it could generate fear among naturalized citizens who had been flagged by older or out-of-date administrative records. Vaughn said she could not cite a specific instance of a noncitizen convicted of voting in Indiana but expressed concern that the policy would cause confusion and increase phone calls to county offices from newly naturalized citizens.

Committee members probed operational questions about whether temporary flags can be updated when a registrant becomes a naturalized citizen and whether the BMV can update the flag before the temporary credential expires. Witnesses said the flag is determined by visa dates and credentials and that current BMV practice may not allow pre‑expiration updates; committee members asked staff to pursue further conversations with the BMV. The sponsor closed by saying the change aims to protect lawfully present noncitizens from unintentionally committing a crime.

The committee voted to pass the bill, 13‑0. The committee also adopted a technical amendment to make the effective date prospective (deleting 2024 and starting August 30, 2025).