Donald Manglona
THE Department of Public Safety, the mayors of Rota and Saipan and an insurance company expressed support for Senate Bill 23-55, which would allow the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to issue a driver’s license regardless of an applicant’s immigration status.
Authored by Senate Vice President Donald Manglona, S.B. 23-55 has been referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Government and Law.
The bill would allow BMV to issue a driver’s license to a person who is not able to provide proof of U.S. citizenship, permanent or temporary residency, or other documents pertaining to immigration status, as long as the applicant can provide “any other form of identification,” and pay $50.
DPS Commissioner Anthony I. Macaranas said his department is in full support of the bill. In a letter to the JGL committee chair, Sen. Karl King-Nabors, Macaranas said BMV “stands prepared in promulgating rules and regulations that would be implemented once this proposed amendment is passed.”
But he said an applicant should also be required to provide supporting documents indicating that the applicant is a resident of the CNMI.
Century Insurance General Manager Gol Corpuz said, “We are in support of this bill.”
Saipan Mayor Ramon Blas “RB” Camacho, for his part, expressed his “strong support” for the bill. He said by allowing all residents the opportunity to obtain a driver’s license, “we are taking significant steps towards improving mobility across our islands. This change will facilitate greater access to employment opportunities, educational resources and healthcare services.”
Rota Mayor Aubry M. Hocog also expressed her “general support” for the bill’s intent. However, she said, “it is crucial to incorporate public safety measures into the legislation.” To achieve this, she proposes to include a provision that will mandate a written knowledge test to assess an applicant’s familiarity with CNMI traffic laws, and a practical driving test to evaluate an applicant’s ability to safely operate a vehicle on CNMI roads, prior to being given a permit.
