The debate lasted over seven hours and the bill was approved as the sun started to come out on Thursday. Speaker of the House Brendan Sharkey said this will help the state as well as undocumented immigrants.
“They’re here right now and it’s costing us all money and is a public safety issue as well as doing firmly what’s right,” said Sharkey.
The bill states that undocumented immigrants can get a license through the Department of Motor Vehicles after proving their identity, residence, and passing a background check.
All Republican members of the house voted against the bill. Some said the proposal was flawed with unintended consequences. Republican representative Melissa Ziobron said more research needed to be done.
“The big picture here is that it’s not just about drivers licenses for undocumented residents of the state, they have to take health care and education.”
The bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.