By Robin Opsahl, Iowa Capital Dispatch
Opponents say driver’s license legislation will raise barriers for citizens
Iowa House lawmakers approved a series of bills Wednesday related to immigration checks and requirements during licensing processes.
In this year’s legislative session, legislators have considered several proposals that would establish new steps in checking individual’s citizenship status and eligibility to reside and work in the United States, including measures related to individuals’ eligibility to register to vote. On Wednesday, lawmakers approved three measures related to immigration:
Citizenship verification for driver’s licenses
Senate File 2187, passed 87-8, would require the Iowa Department of Transportation to use the federal Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database, or a future similar system, to verify the citizenship status of any person applying for or renewing a driver’s license or nonoperator’s identification card who does not provide proof of citizenship.
If a person’s citizenship or immigration status cannot be verified, the DOT would not be allowed to issue an ID to this individual. Rep. Cindy Golding, R-Cedar Rapids, said checking citizenship status is already a process being performed by the Iowa DOT.
But Rep. Jeff Cooling, D-Cedar Rapids, said the bill could present “unintended consequences” for Iowans who do not wish to get a Real ID — a type of driver’s license, marked by a gold star, that allows individuals to fly on commercial aircraft and enter certain federal facilities. Getting a Real ID requires an individual to provide the DOT a document showing proof of identity — like a passport or birth certificate — proof of their Social Security number, as well as two pieces of mail proving their current residency.
Cooling said some speakers told lawmakers during subcommittee meetings on the bill that roughly 20% of Iowans do not have a Real ID and have “no intention” of getting this new form of identification.
“The 20% of Iowans … that have an exemption currently to not have to go through a bunch of extra processes when they go to renew their driver’s license, or operator or nonoperator IDs, that this bill will take away that exemption for them,” Coolin said. “… It’s gonna make it harder for people to access and renew their driver’s license. Otherwise, this bill is already being done.”
Golding said this requirement would not stop individuals from requesting a license that does not have the Real ID marker.
“I have a friend who just yesterday got a state license without the real ID — she had to request it, but even with the current process, she could get an state license without the Real ID,” Golding said. “So this does not preclude that from happening.”
The House amended the proposed start date for the measure to March 1, 2027, at the request of the DOT. The measure goes back to the Senate for further consideration.
English proficiency for CDL licenses
Senate File 2426, which passed the House in a 73-22 vote, requires applicants seeking or renewing a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) to pass an exam showing they meet English proficiency standards. Drivers would only have to pass the computer-based test once, and would be allowed to retake the exam, in order to meet the requirement.
If a truck driver is found to not be proficient in English while operating a commercial vehicle, they could be charged with a serious misdemeanor charge and face a civil penalty of $1,000.
When the House first passed the bill in late March, lawmakers amended the Senate proposal to change the penalties for the trucking companies found to employ drivers who are not proficient in English. The measure would subject a commercial motor carrier to a simple misdemeanor charge and a fine of $10,000 for each violation of the proposed law, by employing or contracting with a person who does not meet language proficiency standards.
Rep. Elizabeth Wilson, D-Marion, said she was “still disappointed” that the bill did not hold employers accountable for the same prison time as drivers under the proposal, but said she supported the move to improve safety.
“That’s bothersome to me, but all in all, I support holding everyone accountable,” Wilson said.
Rep. Ann Meyer, R-Fort Dodge, had said during previous discussions this change to lower the criminal penalty while increasing the fine on carriers was an effort to more effectively enforce the law by “hitting them in their pocketbook,” as there would be problems bringing in out-of-state truck drivers and carriers into Iowa to serve jail time.
The House had also proposed issuing an “out of service” order to carriers found in violation of the law, stating they cannot operate in Iowa. The Senate amended the measure, clarifying this “out of service” order would only prevent the company from operating within the state of Iowa.
The measure will head to the governor for final approval.
Citizenship checks for educators
While both chambers have moved on measures related to checking citizenship status of educators and public employees, the House “insisted” the Senate accept its changes to Senate File 2218 — meaning the bill will be discussed by a conference committee between the chambers in the future.
Senate File 2218 originally proposed requiring the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners to have applicants for new and renewing licenses verify their legal authorization to live and work in the U.S., in addition to having school authorities vet identity and employment eligibility of people who accept job offers at their institutions. Educators not subject to license renewals would have to submit evidence on their ability to stay and work in the country to the board every five years to remain licensed.
These provisions were largely proposed as a response to the 2025 immigration arrest of former Des Moines Public Schools superintendent Ian Roberts, who was given an order of removal by an immigration judge in May 2024 and faced previous criminal charges.
But the House proposed a major change to the bill, amending it in March to include language from Senate File 2412. The provision would codify an executive order signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds after Roberts’ arrest related to citizenship verification. The proposal would require state licensing boards and state government entities to use the SAVE database as well as the federal E-Verify system to check the citizenship and legal status of applicants for government jobs, as well as professional and occupational licenses.
The amended measure also contained provisions unrelated to citizenship verification, including a measure denying undocumented immigrants pretrial release — which could be rebutted — as well as charging undocumented immigrants registered to vote illegally with a Class D felony.
When the Senate voted to reject the amendment combining these two measures, Sen. Lynn Evans, R-Aurelia, said the House’s amendment made the bill significantly different from its original intention — while adding that the provisions being added as an amendment were available for House lawmakers to vote on as a separate bill.
“Although I understand what they’re trying to do there, it doesn’t belong in this bill,” Evans said.
On Wednesday, the House insisted on its amendment, moving the measure to consideration by a conference committee to find a resolution. The House assigned Reps. Brooke Boden, Steve Holt, Charley Thomson, Tracy Ehlert and Heather Matson to the committee. The Senate will assign lawmakers to represent the chamber to the committee before a date is set.
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