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BILL NO. 21-52
<br />RESOLUTION NO. ___________________
<br />A RESOLUTION OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, ENDORSING
<br />AND URGING PASSAGE OF INDIANA LEGISLATION ESTABLISHING DRIVER CARDS FOR
<br />UNDOCUMENTED INDIANA RESIDENTS
<br />Whereas, the safety of all people using Indiana roads should be a primary consideration of elected
<br />officials in the State of Indiana; and
<br />Whereas, at the present time, many undocumented Indiana residents are driving on the streets and
<br />highways of Indiana, without adequate training, certification or insurance; and
<br />Whereas, statewide legislation providing undocumented Indiana residents with a pathway to obtain
<br />a Driver Card will encourage undocumented Indiana residents to be trained, certified, and insured; and
<br />Whereas, earlier in 2021, Indiana House Bill 1138 and Senate Bill 319 establishing Driver Cards in
<br />Indiana failed to move forward; and
<br />Whereas, at the present time, similar legislation has passed in 16 states, including California, Colorado,
<br />Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Oregon,
<br />Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, together with The District of Columbia and Puerto Rico; and
<br />Whereas, such legislation will improve public safety by requiring all undocumented residents
<br />desiring to drive legally to pass to pass a written test of knowledge of driving laws and road signs, a vision
<br />test and a driving test; and
<br />Whereas, such legislation will benefit Indiana’s insurance industry by reducing costs per
<br />policyholder and increasing the number of insured state residents while at the same time reducing the
<br />number of uninsured residents; and
<br />Whereas, such legislation will promote commerce by permitting undocumented residents desiring to
<br />drive legally to support the State of Indiana’s businesses for their basic needs; and
<br />Whereas, such legislation will contribute to the tax revenue of the State of Indiana; and
<br />Whereas, such legislation will improve public safety and promote positive relations with law
<br />enforcement by reducing the fear of traffic stops and by reducing any incentive to leave the scene of an
<br />accident; and
<br />Whereas, a Driver Card will provide an easily identifiable and distinguishable identification that will not
<br />be valid for voter identification; and
<br />Whereas, bipartisan legislation will again be introduced in both houses of the Indiana General Assembly
<br />to establish Driver Cards for undocumented residents; and
<br />Whereas, the Common Council believes that all Indiana drivers should be trained, certified, and
<br />insured in order to promote public safety, a growing economy and positive relations with law enforcement.
<br />Now, Therefore, be it resolved, by the Common Council of the City of South
<br />Bend, Indiana, as follows:
<br />Section I. The South Bend Common Council hereby endorses and urges passage of state legislation
<br />to provide a pathway for undocumented Indiana residents to be able to obtain a Driver Card.
<br />Section II. The South Bend Common Council also hereby endorses and urges passage of state
<br />legislation to provide prerequisites to obtaining a Driver Card such as training, certification and insurance.
<br />Section III. The South Bend Common Council urges City residents to support the passage of such
<br />legislation by making their opinions known to their state legislators.
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