From Oregon Live:
Senate Passes Driver's License Bill
Posted by The Oregonian February 11, 2008 11:05AM
SALEM-The Oregon Senate easily passed a bill Monday to tighten identification requirements to obtain a state driver's license, advancing a measure that has become embroiled in the emotional debate over illegal immigration.
The vote was 23-7. All of the opponents were Democrats, including three of the four state senators who are running for secretary of state.
The measure, Senate Bill 1080, would largely put into law the tighter identification requirements that were imposed under an executive order signed by Gov. Ted Kulongoski that went into effect on Feb. 4. Both the executive order and the Senate bill require driver's license applicants, including those seeking to renew an existing license, to provide a Social Security number or other proof of legal residence that can be verified by the state Driver and Motor Vehicle Services Division.
Urging passage of the bill, Sen. Rick Metsger, D-Welches, said the bill would streamline the application process and avoid "unintended consequences."
Metsger was the only senate running for secretary of state who voted for the bill. His three Democratic opponents, Sens. Brad Avakian of Bethany, Kate Brown of Portland and Vicki Walker of Eugene voted against the measure.
--Edward Walsh
Via ACLU article:The proposed legislation goes well beyond the change of requiring verification of SSN. Instead, in addition to allowing DMV to restrict the use of your photograph for replacement licenses, it also establishes a new Social Security Number (SSN) database of all our numbers; requires DMV to verify every document you produce with the issuing agency (verification databases do not exist for the birth certificates, legal documents, proof of residency); fails to take into account the problems that people will have if their ame or birth date do not match the Social Security Administration (SSA) data; and provides no recours if you are turned away.
Going well beyond the intended target of this legislation - persons who cannot prove lawful presence - this legislation will target everyone in the community. As a result, many will be turned away from DMV because of errors on the part of the SSA or DMV. For many it may mean driving illegally or not at all.
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