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Senate approves moving Senate Bill 227 toward third reading after heated debate over driving-privilege card for people without Social Security numbers
Summary
Senate Bill 227 would replace certain Utah driver’s licenses held by people with ITINs with a distinguishable driving-privilege card and limit those ID cards' use; the bill passed on third-reading motion with 18 yes to 8 no and 3 absent after extended debate over profiling, uninsured drivers and voter-integrity concerns.
Senator Bramble introduced Senate Bill 227, a measure to replace certain Utah driver’s licenses issued to people who lack Social Security numbers (ITIN holders) with a state driving-privilege card that would be different in color and design and not permitted as a form of state identification for non-driving purposes. "Driving in the state of Utah is a privilege," Bramble said in opening remarks, framing the bill as a compromise aimed at maintaining license credibility and addressing alleged misuse of Utah licenses as a portal for out‑of‑state identification.
The bill would cause roughly 37,000 state ID cards issued to ITIN holders to sunset on the first birthday after July 1; affected license-holders would be required to obtain the new driving-privilege card. Bramble said the card would enable those without Social Security numbers to obtain driving privileges and insurance but would be visually distinguishable from standard driver’s licenses.
Opponents raised multiple concerns. Senator Allen warned the bill risks creating a two-tier system that would discourage some motorists from obtaining any credential and could increase the number of uninsured drivers on roads. "We will have tens of thousands of people on the road who have no insurance, and we don't know who they are," Allen said. Senator Dietrich and others asked whether law enforcement or neighboring states would recognize the new card and whether a visible different color could lead to profiling; Bramble and supporters said law enforcement already can identify ITIN-issued licenses when necessary and that the Tennessee model — cited as precedent — has not produced the feared outcomes.
Sponsor Bramble cited a legislative audit that found irregularities in license issuance (multiple licenses to single addresses and instances where individuals issued licenses subsequently registered to vote). He told the chamber that the auditor’s report identified several instances where ITIN‑based credentials were used to register voters and that an investigation by federal immigration authorities was underway. "We found that 14 individuals that were illegal actually voted" in one audit sample, Bramble said, and argued the measure was a targeted response to those findings.
Supporters including Senator Walker and Senator Jenkins called the proposal a pragmatic compromise that balances public-safety concerns and access to driving privileges; Senator Jenkins said the card could improve access to insurance and, indirectly, health care coverage for some workers. Several senators asked for coordination with a pending House measure (HB223 by Representative Oda) to ensure legal noncitizen visa holders would receive an equivalent credential so that the card is not an exclusive marker of undocumented status. Bramble said the two measures can be coordinated by amendment and that his bill contemplates differing expiration rules for lawful visa holders.
The Senate called the question and completed a roll-call vote. Senate Bill 227 recorded 18 yes votes and 8 no votes with 3 absent and was ordered to be read for the third time.
Next steps: the bill will be scheduled for third reading, and sponsors expect follow-on work to coordinate House language concerning legal visa holders and to finalize technical details about card appearance and expiration rules.
