Committee hears emotional, technical testimony for and against driver‑privilege card bill

Representative Ed Staffman introduced House Bill 275 to create a two‑year "driver privilege card" for people who do not qualify for a standard Montana driver’s license because they lack a Social Security number. Staffman said the card would require applicants to show identity and Montana residency, pass written and driving tests, and pay fees — but would expire after two years and would be void if the holder is ordered removed from the United States.

A series of proponents told personal and sectoral stories in support. Deborah Hines, who worked with MSU and economic partners, said studies show Hispanic workers contribute about $2.6 billion annually to Montana’s economy and pay roughly $140 million in taxes; she and other witnesses argued the lack of legal driving access forces many to drive uninsured. Health‑and‑safety testimony included remarks from Ita Killeen, a retired family physician, and Diane Charlton, an MSU economist who summarized academic studies that found no increase in accidents and some reductions in hit‑and‑run incidents in states that adopted similar measures.

Business and construction witnesses emphasized workforce and liability concerns. Buzz Tarlow, a construction‑law attorney, told the committee contractors face legal and insurance exposure when workers drive uninsured and urged passage to reduce risk and help fill labor shortages.

Opponents raised legal and procedural objections. Remote witness Anna Shmelingen read a Montana code provision that requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to verify lawful presence through the federal SAVE system when issuing a standard license, and said that statutory requirement undercuts claims that many people in the state cannot already obtain a license. Anna Shmelingen argued the bill could send the wrong message about legal status.

Laurie Bakri, the Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) administrator, appeared as an informational witness and explained agency practice: MVD issues standard driver's licenses only to people with "authorized presence" as verified by SAVE, but a driver‑privilege card would not require SAVE verification. Bakri told the committee the department would need to adopt rules to implement the card and could provide data on past denials and the list of visa types that meet SAVE verification upon request.

Committee members pressed staff and proponents on operational questions — which documents prove identity and residency, how the department will define eligible statuses, whether international licenses provide sufficient access to insurance, and how the department will design testing and rulemaking. The sponsor said the bill intentionally leaves details to MVD rulemaking. The committee closed the hearing on HB 275 without a vote.