What's happening
Writing a plain-English summary… Track this bill to get it by email.
Why it matters
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Allows the use of the individual tax identification number when a legal immigrant applies for a driver's license or a renewal of a driver's license
In Assembly Committee · Transportation · Sponsor Felix Ortiz
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
BILL NUMBER:S4334
Title of bill
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to certain requirements for obtaining a driver's license
Purpose or general idea of bill
The purpose of this bill is to allow legal immigrants to use their Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) in place of a Social Security Number when applying for a New York State driver's license.
Summary of specific provisions
Subdivision 1 and paragraph (a) of subdivision 6 of section 502 of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by chapter 81 of the laws of 1995, are amended to allow the use of an Individual tax Identification Number in place of a Social Security Number when applying for a driver's license or a renewal of a driver's license, when the applicant is a legal immigrant.
Justification
Under current law anyone wishing to apply for a driver's license must have either a Social Security Number (SSN) or a letter from the social Security Administration along with INS documentation, showing that the applicant is not eligible for a SSN. These stipulations have denied a growing number of legal immigrants a driver's license. These people are then forced to drive illegally to work, school and the doctor. For some public transportation is not even an option, due to the hours they commute, the type of job they hold, or the fact that the area in which they live is poorly served.
By withholding driver's licenses from legal immigrants we are damaging more than some may realize. As they have no license these immigrants also have no insurance, adding to insurance losses. In addition, the restriction of immigrant licenses can result in many arrests for minor traffic violations. These arrests clog the courts and divert time from law enforcement officials that could be better spent in the communities. Identity fraud is also more prevalent when there are license restrictions, as the restrictions create a breeding ground for false documents and false identities.
Numerous states already allow the substitution of an ITIN for a SSN when applying for a driver's license. An ITIN can only be attained after certain proof of identity has been demonstrated. It is also available only to those who cannot receive a SSN, and like the SSN, it is a 9-digit number.
Prior legislative history
2002 - A.9603 Referred to Transportation 2004 - A.5690 Referred to Transportation 2005 - A.611 Referred to Transportation 2007/08 - A.4249 Referred to Transportation 2009/10 - A.4236 Referred to Transportation
Fiscal implications for state and local governments
Unknown.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.