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Senate committee advances driver-license measure with exception for legally present nonresidents
Summary
The Committee of the Whole recommended a favorable report on House Bill 116, which would invalidate out-of-state licenses issued to unauthorized aliens, after adopting an amendment that exempts nonresidents who can demonstrate lawful presence in the United States. Senators debated interstate-compact and enforcement implications.
CHEYENNE — The Wyoming Senate’s Committee of the Whole on Feb. 20, 2025 recommended a favorable report on House Bill 116, a measure addressing out-of-state driver’s licenses and unauthorized aliens, after adopting a committee amendment clarifying an exception for nonresidents who can demonstrate lawful presence in the United States.
House Bill 116, described on the floor as relating to invalidating driving privileges issued by other jurisdictions to unauthorized aliens, drew extensive floor questions about enforcement, interstate compacts and possible effects on law enforcement operations. The committee’s amendment adds language allowing a nonresident to retain driving privileges in Wyoming if that person “is in immediate possession of a valid license issued by the licensing authority in his place of residence” and can “demonstrate lawful presence in the United States.”
Senator Cole, who presented the amendment and spoke as the bill sponsor in the Committee of the Whole, said the change is intended to preserve lawful visitors’ ability to drive while disallowing licenses issued to people who are unlawfully present. He told colleagues the amendment clarifies that “if they’re here on legal status, then their driver’s license is not invalid under the statute.”
Several senators raised concerns about the_driver-license compact_ and whether the bill would jeopardize Wyoming’s participation. Senator Pappas said he had contacted attorneys at the National Center for Interstate Compacts and expected guidance before third reading; he described the compact’s requirement to honor other states’ licenses but said the compact does not expressly address licenses issued to persons unlawfully present.
Other questions focused on enforcement and practical effects. Senator Scott asked how difficult it would be for a foreign visitor to demonstrate lawful presence; Senator Rothfuss asked whether law enforcement would be diverted into immigration checks and how long processing would take. Senator Anderson, speaking to enforcement, said highway-patrol dispatchers can check licenses via computer and that testimony from the patrol indicated dispatch checks would identify problem licenses.
On procedure, the senator forming the motion called the question on the amendment; the amendment passed and the Committee of the Whole then voted to report the bill favorably. Sponsors and several senators indicated they would seek additional legal clarification about the compact before the bill’s next floor consideration.
Action taken: Committee of the Whole amendment adopted; Committee recommended that House Bill 116 do pass and the report rose in favor of the bill. Further legal review of interstate-compact implications was requested in floor remarks.
