Panel approves bill on costs of illegals

The House Law Enforcement Committee on Tuesday approved a bill to examine the costs of providing federally mandated programs to undocumented immigrants but opted not to vote on a bill that would take away their ticket to drive.

HB239, sponsored by Rep. Glenn Donnelson, R-North Ogden, would revoke a 2005 law that allows individuals without Social Security numbers to still drive legally using the cards, and would make all existing cards expire at the end of this year. Utah currently requires a Social Security number to obtain a driver's license, according to the Driver License Division Web site.

The committee moved that bill to its Thursday meeting after Rep. Becky Lockhart, R-Provo, expressed concerns that it could also revoke the cards for legal residents who don't qualify for Social Security numbers, such as those with student visas.

Meanwhile, the committee gave a favorable recommendation to HB262, sponsored by Rep. Karen Morgan, D-Cottonwood Heights. Morgan brought back the bill aimed at evaluating the costs of illegal immigration and seeking federal reimbursement for those costs, with it amended so that the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel will do the study, instead of the Attorney General's Office.

In an earlier meeting, Morgan had asked the committee to hold off on voting on the bill after Colorado had already done a similar study and found there is no federal remedy. On Tuesday, she told the committee she was carrying it forward after hearing from constituents and some members of the committee.

"The piece of this that asks for the delineation, the accounting of those expenses, I think would be helpful," said Rep. Michael Morley, R-Spanish Fork. "Perhaps we can use that to our advantage as we appeal for our delegation."

However Rep. David Litvack, D-Salt Lake, expressed concern the study would assume illegal immigration is a net cost to the state, without taking into account any economic benefits.

After Tuesday's meeting Donnelson and Lockhart both expressed confidence that the concern would be addressed about ensuring all legal Utah residents would still be able to drive. Lockhart, who in 2005 was House sponsor of the bill that allowed undocumented immigrants to drive legally, without an official state ID, said she'd likely vote in favor of both Donnelson's bill and, would also consider supporting tightening up the cards.

"It's a difficult question to answer," Lockhart said. Pointing to the issue of uninsured drivers on one hand, and the issue of providing benefits to undocumented immigrants.