Immigration (Driver Licenses & IDs)

died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 462: Generally revise department of motor vehicles laws

SB 462 proposes changes to Montana's driver licensing laws. It would lower the minimum age for restricted licenses from 16 to 15 (with specific conditions), allow counties to request monthly driver examinations instead of requiring them monthly statewide, and add a requirement for the DMV to verify non-citizens' lawful U.S. presence using federal systems. The bill directly affects Montana residents seeking licenses, particularly teens, non-citizens, and local counties managing exam scheduling. These changes were proposed but did not become law, as the bill died in committee in May 2025.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill mandates DMV to verify non-citizens' lawful presence via federal systems, requiring state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs

Track

died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 469: Revise the exemption for out-of-state driver's licenses

HB 469 revises state law regarding the recognition of out-of-state driver's licenses for non-residents operating motor vehicles. The bill clarifies that a non-resident's license is not valid if it belongs to a class of licenses issued exclusively to individuals unlawfully present in the United States. It mandates the Motor Vehicle Division of the Department of Justice to establish rules for identifying and classifying these specific out-of-state licenses.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationRestricts driver's license access for undocumented immigrants by invalidating out-of-state licenses issued to unlawfully present individuals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs

Track

signed · Montana · House May 6, 2025

HB 226: Provide for a legal employment and government accountability law

House Bill 226, titled the "Legal Employment and Government Accountability Law," requires employers to verify the legal work authorization of all employees before they start working. Employers must use either the federal E-Verify program or a completed Form I-9 with supporting documents to confirm eligibility. The Department of Labor and Industry is authorized to enforce this law through investigations, audits, and rulemaking. Non-compliance can lead to civil penalties, including fines for each individual employed in violation and potential suspension of business licenses for repeat offenses. A dedicated state special revenue fund will collect these penalties to support the law's implementation and administration.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationRequires employer verification of legal work status via E-Verify/I-9, restricting unauthorized employment access - clear immigration enforcement measure95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Work Authorization

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 927: Generally revise laws related to illegal aliens

House Bill 927 would have required a wide range of professionals and officials in Montana to report individuals they know are "not lawfully present in the United States" to the state Department of Justice. These mandatory reporters would have included healthcare providers, school staff, social workers, law enforcement, and certain clergy members. The bill outlined procedures for the Department of Justice to receive and record these reports, with the option to share information with federal immigration agencies while keeping the reporter's identity confidential. Failure to make a required report would have been a misdemeanor.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates reporting of undocumented individuals to state for federal sharing, increasing state enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement

Track

signed · Montana · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 91: Require citizenship marker on driver's license and identification cards

SB 91 requires driver's licenses and identification cards issued in Montana to display an individual's U.S. citizenship status. Beginning January 1, 2026, an image of an eagle will be included on these cards for applicants who are United States citizens. This change affects all U.S. citizens applying for or renewing a driver's license or identification card in Montana.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationRequires citizenship marker on IDs, restricting non-citizens' access to state-issued identification services and enabling potential enforcement actions.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Citizenship & Naturalization Driver Licenses & IDs

signed · Montana · House Apr 17, 2025

HB 278: Require peace officer to check and report immigration status during lawful stop

HB 278 requires peace officers, during a lawful investigative stop, to make a reasonable attempt to determine a person's immigration status, unless it is impractical or would hinder an investigation. If the officer determines the person is not lawfully present in the United States, the bill mandates that this information be reported to a federal immigration agency. This affects peace officers by adding new duties during stops and impacts individuals who are lawfully stopped, as their immigration status may now be checked and reported.

Topics ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates state officers to check/report immigration status to federal agencies, increasing state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement per bill language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licenses & IDs Enforcement Sanctuary Policies