(JUNEAU) - New legislation introduced today in the Alaska Senate will tighten up the rules for obtaining state driver's licenses and ID cards. SB 189 requires anyone applying for the state issued IDs to present documents proving they are a U.S. citizen, a legal permanent resident of the United States or a conditional resident alien of the United States.

Sen. Charlie Huggins (R - Rural Mat-Su/Chugiak) and Sen. Gene Therriault (R - North Pole) sponsored the legislation. "We must tighten up the rules for obtaining driver's licenses and state ID cards. The current regulations make it too easy for a person who shouldn't be in the United States to get one, which creates a potential risk to homeland security," said Sen. Huggins.

"SB 189 has been drafted to balance the needs of resident aliens in Alaska with the desire to coordinate our system with U.S. immigration controls," said Sen. Therriault.

SB 189 also creates driver's licenses and state ID cards for resident aliens that expire when that person is no longer legally allowed to remain in the United States. The cards must clearly show the expiration date.

The cards can only be renewed if the person has documentation from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to prove their stay has been legally extended.

Rep. Bob Lynn (R - Anchorage) has companion legislation that will be introduced in the State House.

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