Setting the record straight on SB1591

I recently voted on an important public safety measure and have gotten some negative responses from individuals who weren’t clear on what the bill actually was trying to accomplish; I’d like to set the record straight. Senate Bill 1591 would have allowed the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to issue special licenses to workers who have been provided an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) by the IRS because they are paying state and federal taxes. ITINs are given to business owners, foreigners or U.S. residents who don’t have a Social Security Number. These individuals are not illegal, as they have registered with the federal government and had to do so to receive the ITIN.

Under current law, only U.S. citizens, nationals and legal permanent resident aliens can get a driver license. This bill would allow these workers who present proof, like their ITIN, of filing a state tax return for the most recent tax period to be eligible to get a driver license that indicates their non-resident status for an additional $50 fee. Again, these individuals must be registered with the federal government, meaning they have legally obtained the identification number. Illegal immigrants are unable to obtain these identifying numbers.

This change would have many positive impacts on our state. First, this is strongly supported by the law enforcement community because it will help them do their job when more people have legitimate proof of identity. It’s endorsed by the State Trooper’s Association, the Sheriff’s Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, the Association of General Contractors, and the Catholic Conference of Oklahoma.

Allowing these legal individuals to obtain a license would create $2.5 million in additional state revenue through the new $50 fee and other means. It’s estimated that it would create over $61 million in additional liability policy sales and would save existing policy holders nearly $44 million in insurance premiums. Because many of these individuals cannot currently purchase insurance without a driver’s license, they drive on Oklahoma roads completely uninsured. This is a major risk to all Oklahomans and allowing them to become licensed drivers will protect others if an accident occurs with a non-resident driver.

There are currently 16 other states that already grant driving privileges to non-residents, and Oklahoma’s standards are the strictest to date. Since enacting this type of law, hit and run accidents have declined by 15% in Connecticut. A driver license expansion like this would cover a larger auto insurance pool, which would also hold down premium costs while generating fewer claims that originate with uninsured drivers. The uninsured motorist rate dropped from 28% to 9% in New Mexico from 2002 to 2011 and Utah’s dropped from 28% to 8%. Oklahoma currently has the 18th high uninsured motorist rate nationwide at just over 13%, so having this legislation could drastically lower that. Just as people with traditional driver licenses are required to carry insurance policies, so would those with these new driver licenses.

SB 1591 will not allow undocumented immigrants to vote because this strict legislation contains multiple provisions that prohibit these special licenses from being used for voter registration purposes. I’ve also heard that this bill rewards people who have broken the law. Immigration is a federal matter, not a state one. However, this will reduce lawlessness in Oklahoma because it will lessen the number of uninsured and unlicensed drivers on our roads and allow our law enforcement members to positively identify more drivers.

Overall, this bill would greatly benefit our state because if an ITIN applicant wants the privilege to drive, they will have to show proof of their recent tax payment to get a license. These are not criminals, but hardworking individuals contributing to our local communities and providing much-needed tax revenue. Unfortunately, the confusion surrounding this If you have any questions or concerns on legislative matters, please contact me at the Capitol. Please write to Senator Jessica Garvin, State Capitol, 2300 N. Lincoln Blvd. Room 237, Oklahoma City, OK, 73105, email me at Jessica.Garvin@oksenate.gov or call (405) 521-5522.