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House rejects measure to expand public-safety database access after privacy, contracting concerns
Summary
The House voted down Senate Bill 75, which would have authorized limited queries of an uninsured-motorist/public-safety database to identify fraudulent IDs and help prosecute identity theft; opponents warned of expanded commercial access and contract implications, and the motion failed 14–54.
The Utah House on March 2 defeated Senate Bill 75, a proposal to permit the Department of Public Safety to establish rules allowing queries of an uninsured-motorist database to detect fraudulent driver's licenses and assist law enforcement and retailers in identifying invalid IDs.
Sponsor Representative D told the House the measure is intended to implement earlier bills increasing penalties for fraudulent IDs and to give law enforcement a tool to verify license validity. "All we're trying to do here is give us the tool to find out which driver's license are valid and which driver's license are not," the sponsor said.
Members raised multiple concerns: Representative Talton said the bill lacked clarity about who administers the data, how long data are retained, and whether the change expands the contractor's obligations without competitive bidding. Representative Bigelow warned the bill "opens a door" if the data become available to commercial entities; he asked what safeguards would prevent retail marketing or misuse of personal information.
The sponsor responded that the proposed access would be limited to a validity check and would not expose license numbers, addresses or Social Security numbers. "The only thing they can access is if it is a viable license," the sponsor said, adding that the Department of Public Safety would retain control and set administrative rules and fees.
Despite the sponsor's reassurances and an amendment clarifying that no additional fees would be charged to the database administrator for access, the House voted 14 yes to 54 no and the bill failed on the floor.
