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Committee hears HB 469 to bar recognition of certain out‑of‑state driver credentials; opponents raise state‑ID concerns
Summary
Rep. Tracy Sharp said HB 469 would make Montana refuse recognition of driver credentials issued to people who cannot attest to lawful U.S. presence; opponents warned the bill could inadvertently change state ID documentation standards. Committee discussion focused on placement of language and effect on state IDs.
Representative Tracy Sharp opened House Bill 469 by describing practices in other states that issue driving privilege cards or driver licenses to people who cannot attest to lawful presence. Sharp said Montana should refuse to recognize those credentials and told the committee: "This bill says don't come to Montana if you're not in The United States legally. Your license is not valid."
Opponents, including Mary Beveridge, expressed concern that the bill's drafting could remove the rules aligning state ID issuance and driver's license documentation and verification. Beveridge pointed to specific struck language in the draft (page 7, line 16) and said she feared the bill would revoke standards that currently apply to state identification cards.
Sponsor Sharp and committee members walked through the bill text and sponsor amendments, explaining that some language was moved within the bill rather than eliminated and that the bill intends to refer strictly to driver’s licenses, not state identification cards. Senators asked technical drafting questions about where moved language appears and whether the Department of Motor Vehicles would be able to implement the changes. Sharp and staff confirmed the DMV supports the bill and that the fiscal note indicated no additional cost.
In executive action, debate continued on related bills; later the committee tabled HB 469 during EA (committee record shows HB 469 tabled).
