Panel OKs Driver’s License Bill

A Senate-approved bill that would allow issuing a California driver’s license to illegal immigrants narrowly won approval Monday by the Assembly Transportation Committee over Republican opposition.

On an 11-5 vote along party lines, the Democratic-backed bill, SB 60, went to the Appropriations Committee for another hearing, the final stop before the Assembly floor.

“It isn’t right to give a person who is here illegally a legal identifying document,” said Assemblyman Tim Leslie (R-Tahoe City), who voted no. “Those two notions are in complete conflict.”

But Sen. Gil Cedillo (D-Los Angeles) said his bill would recognize the reality that there are about 2 million illegal immigrants in California who are believed to be driving routinely, but are not properly trained or licensed and do not carry automobile insurance.

He said highways would be safer if those drivers received appropriate training, were tested and bought insurance. He said licensing would also help law enforcement keep track of such drivers in criminal cases because their photos, thumbprints and addresses would be recorded.

Cedillo said he also found it to be the height of irony that illegal immigrants who served in the U.S. armed forces could legally operate military fighting vehicles in the war with Iraq, “but they can’t drive a car in California.”