AUSTIN, TX — Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa (SD20–McAllen), along with joint-authors Senator Jose Rodriguez (SD 29–El Paso) and Senator Sylvia Garcia (SD 6–Houston), filed Senate Bill 132 today to create a Texas resident driver's permit. The Legislation would allow access to driver's permits regardless of immigration status as well as promote safety and accountability.

Ensuring that all drivers are driving legally and insured supports broader public safety goals such as increasing the likelihood that drivers know state traffic rules. Many immigrants, including undocumented persons, are working in Texas and continue to drive to work to provide for their families and other day-to-day activities.

Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa stated:

"Currently millions of Texas workers cannot obtain a driver's permit and insure their vehicles because of their citizenship status. These workers drive vehicles on Texas roads every day. These uninsured and unlicensed drivers present public safety concerns and liability issues for other drivers. S.B. 132 will allow certain Texas residents to obtain a driver's permit so that they too can be responsible drivers"

Senator Jose Rodriguez stated:

"I look forward to working on this common sense legislation that will help immigrant communities access insurance, allow law enforcement to focus more on criminals and less on immigrant workers, and promote community safety."

Senator Sylvia Garcia stated:

"This bill is about making our roads safer and saving money in insurance rates for Texas consumers. A Texas resident driver's permit will ensure all drivers know our traffic laws and have affordable access to car insurance. This will help every driving Texan."

According to the National Immigration Law Center, eleven states including the District of Columbia have enacted laws to issue driver's licenses to people who are residents but not citizens of the United States.

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