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Committee hears fiscal and practical hurdles to state offering enhanced driver’s licenses
Summary
Lawmakers heard testimony that New Hampshire statute already authorizes enhanced driver’s licenses but that implementation would require roughly $560,000 in start‑up costs and ongoing per‑card fees; DMV officials said vendor technology exists but the card would likely look different and demand in New Hampshire is uncertain.
Representative Eric Johnson introduced House Bill 1445 on the committee floor, saying the measure would compel the Division of Motor Vehicles to offer an enhanced driver’s license (EDL) that embeds a chip to facilitate land and seaport crossings and indicates U.S. citizenship. “Enhanced driver’s licenses are Real ID compliant,” Johnson said in opening remarks, adding that five other states — Vermont, Michigan, New York, Minnesota and Washington — currently offer the credential.
John Marasco, director of the DMV, told the committee the program is already authorized by statute but…
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