Dave Donaldson, APRN – Juneau
A bill limiting immigrant’s rights to a drivers’ license was approved by the House State Affairs Committee Tuesday. But it is not as harsh as it was when introduced. The bill by Anchorage Republican Bob Lynn originally ordered the Department of Motor Vehicles not to issue the state’s standard license beyond the date the person’s U.S. Visa would expire.
However, Lynn did allow amendments to his bill. He removed a restriction for people whose Visa’s had expiration dates that were unclear or indeterminate.
The Alaska Civil Liberties Union last week raised questions about the state’s constitutional right saying the bill could be taken as a challenge to the federal immigration laws and process. But Legislative Attorney Jerry Luckhaupt said federal court decisions have set clear standards that the bill meets.
The Bill passed with no objection and next goes to the Finance Committee. It has not yet been scheduled for a hearing.
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