For Immediate Release                                                                                              Contact: Marva Diaz
September 12, 2013                                                                                                Marva.Diaz@asm.ca.gov        
                                                                                                                                                (916) 319-2030
                                                                      
 
Driver’s license bill goes to Governor Jerry Brown’s desk
 
(Sacramento)— Today, Assembly Bill 60 by Assemblyman Luis Alejo (D-Salinas), the Safe and Responsible Driver Act, to grant the opportunity for any immigrant to apply for a driver’s license in California, has been approved by both houses of the California State Legislature.  The bill will now be sent to Governor Jerry Brown for consideration.
 
Senate amendments taken today strengthen anti-discriminatory protections and privacy protections based upon the issuance of this new type of license.  
 
“I want to thank our leaders in the Assembly and Senate and the Latino Caucus members who have worked hard on this important measure.  I also want to thank our advocates in the labor community who identified areas in the legislation that needed further anti-discriminatory protections for immigrant workers,” says Alejo.
 
Senator Kevin de León presented the bill in the Senate earlier today saying, “Immigrants working and taking care of their families in California have been looking over their shoulders, driving in fear, for far too long.  This bill is the culmination of a decade of hard work.  Finally, we will be able to safeguard our roads by requiring all drivers to be properly trained, licensed and insured.”
 
Within the last year, nine states and the District of Columbia as well as Puerto Rico have passed legislation to give the right to drive legally to all immigrants.  All nine of these states implemented laws that have driver licenses with recognizable features on the front of the license in order to comply with federal law.  For example, Utah has a Temporary Visitor’s Driver License title on front of the license; Illinois has a Driving Privilege Card title on front of the license; and Colorado has “not for federal use” on front of the license.  These recognizable features were required to expressly comply with federal law, which California must also do.
 
“I am proud to have the privilege to present a historic measure for the state of California. With AB 60 we are recognizing the needs of many hard-working immigrants living here and contributing so much to our great state. Immigrants who drive legally are more likely to work, spend and contribute to the economy. And those with driver’s licenses will have more job opportunities available to them, which will boost businesses in the state,” says Alejo.
 
“I fought for the right of immigrants to obtain a driver’s license in California for a decade,” says Los Angeles City Councilmember and former Senator Gil Cedillo.  “Last year, I carried the bill that won those granted deferred action the right to apply for a California driver’s license. This year, we have the opportunity to extend that right for all undocumented residents of California. I applaud and thank Assemblymember Alejo for continuing these efforts with his bill AB 60, The Safe and Responsible Driver Act. The reality is that continuing the towing of cars and the penalties for immigrants without driver’s licenses will not stop people from driving. Immigrant drivers without licenses will be driving anyway because of the necessity to provide for their families. We have in our hands the opportunity to stand behind a piece of legislation that will make our roads safer, will provide national security and will allow immigrants to step out of the shadows and fully contribute to our communities and state economy.”
 
“This issue extends beyond a simple driver’s license; this issue is about public safety and community integration,” states Senator Ricardo Lara (D-Long Beach), Chair of the California Latino Legislative Caucus. “A driver’s license will ensure that hardworking individuals are properly trained, have insurance, and can drive to work without fear of getting pulled over and losing their vehicle and their livelihood. I urge Governor Brown to sign this bill and end this longstanding struggle for thousands of individuals and families in California.”
 
Angelica Salas, Executive Director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA), states: “We applaud the California Legislature’s favorable vote on this fundamental and long-overdue bill.  The Latino Caucus, especially Senator de León and Assemblyman Alejo, are to be congratulated for their leadership and courage on AB 60.
 
Senator Anthony Cannella (R-Ceres) comments, “AB 60 is important to the state of California because we need those living here and sharing our roads to be educated and insured. There are both social and financial reasons to provide licenses to immigrants who are part of our communities. Not only is it the right thing to do, but our economy will benefit.”
 
“The California Police Chiefs Association is pleased to support Assembly Bill 60, by Assembly Member Luis Alejo” said Kim Raney, President of the California Police Chiefs Association. “This legislation will assure that all persons who drive in California are licensed, have insurance, and are subject to enforcement of California’s driving laws.  Assembly Bill 60 also provides for needed identification security which will enable those charged with limiting access to secure locations to make the appropriate inquiry of anyone presenting a driver’s license to obtain such access.”
 
“I am a fourth generation farmer and grape grower in California, and my workers are very important to me,” states Bill Stokes of Stokes Brothers Farms in Lodi.  “Many of my workers are immigrants to this country, as are many workers in the state, and I have personally dealt with issues of my workers being pulled over and harassed because they did not have a driver’s license.  This bill will give these workers the legal right to drive on our roads and highways, and prevent the harassment of many of our state’s hardest workers.”
 
The State Senate approved AB 60 with a vote of 28-8 and the State Assembly approved with a vote of 55-19.  AB 60 will be on its way to the Governor’s desk where the Governor has until October 13 to sign the bill.

 

 

 

Luis Alejo represents the 30th District in the California State Assembly, which consists of the Salinas Valley, Monterey County, San Benito County, South Santa Clara County and the city of Watsonville in Santa Cruz County.