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House passes bill requiring citizenship checks for Iowa driver’s licenses
Summary
Senate File 2187, requiring the Department of Transportation to verify citizenship or immigration status for driver's licenses and to use the Department of Homeland Security SAVE system when applicants cannot provide documentation, passed the House after an amendment setting an effective date.
The House considered Senate File 2187, which requires citizenship and immigration-status verification for anyone applying for or renewing an Iowa driver's license or non-operator identification card. The bill, as read on the floor, directs the Department of Transportation to check documentation and, where necessary, use the Department of Homeland Security's SAVE program to verify status.
An amendment (H8230) set the effective date to March 1, 2027, at the DOT's request. Representatives questioned whether the policy duplicated existing DOT procedures; one member said DOT already verifies citizenship status in many cases and expressed concern about unintended consequences for some Iowans who do not have Real ID or do not intend to obtain it. The bill passed by roll call: 86 ayes, 7 no, and 7 absent.
Supporters argued the measure clarifies statutory responsibility for verification; opponents raised access concerns for residents without Real ID. The clerk recorded the final vote and declared the bill passed the House.
