10/2/06-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has vetoed a bill to allow illegal immigrants in California to obtain a license that could be used only for driving.
The governor made no secret of his intent to kill the bill. Instead, he said the effort is premature because the state is waiting for federal regulations on state identification cards designed to combat terrorism.
Sponsored by Sen. Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles, SB1162 called for special driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants that look different than licenses for U.S. citizens and legal aliens. The version for illegal immigrants would not be valid for identification or purposes other than driving.
Cedillo vowed to push the legislation again next year.<

9/1/06-The Senate has signed off on Assembly changes to a bill that would allow illegal immigrants to obtain a license that could be used only for driving.
Sponsored by Sen. Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles, SB1162 now heads to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s desk where it is expected to be vetoed.
The bill would be implemented only after the state receives funding from the federal Real ID Act of 2005, which requires every state to issue licenses that comply with a national standard.
The bill would require license applicants to undergo a background check and would be barred from obtaining a license if they have been convicted of any public offense, other than driving without a license, or other federal crimes.
Cedillo’s bill would create special driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants that look different than licenses for U.S. citizens and legal aliens. The version for illegal immigrants would not be valid for identification or purposes other than driving.
The bill, once known as SB1160, was assumed dead a couple of weeks ago when the Assembly Appropriations Committee refused to move the bill. To counter the panel, Cedillo employed a “gut and amend,” which entailed stripping the content of one of his own bills – SB1162 – that passed the Senate and replacing it with a new version of the license bill.
The procedure, typically employed at the end of a legislative session, allows bills to be presented without having to spend time in committees.
For bill status, call (916) 651-4120.