The latest on New Mexico lawmakers' REAL ID debate (all times local):
1:30 p.m.
New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez says a new compromise bill aimed at making New Mexico compliant under the federal REAL ID Act lacks needed security safeguards.
Martinez spokesman Chris Sanchez said Tuesday the bipartisan proposal doesn't require fingerprints for immigrants in the country illegally who could obtain a driver's permit card.
Sanchez said such security safeguards needs to be in any REAL ID fix to prevent fraud.
The proposal introduced by Democratic Sen. John Arthur Smith and Republican Sen. Stuart Ingle combines elements of dueling Democratic and Republicans plans.
The bill would allow all New Mexico residents to apply for REAL ID compliant licenses or obtain a "driver's permit card." Under the proposal, immigrants in the country illegally would be allowed to apply for the permit card but could no longer get a New Mexico driver's license.
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11:30 a.m.
A New Mexico Senate committee will take up a new compromise bill aimed at making New Mexico compliant under the federal REAL ID act.
Senate Majority Leader spokesman Jim Farrell told The Associated Press that the Senate Public Affairs Committee added the bipartisan proposal to the agenda on Tuesday, and will debate it along with four other bills.
The proposal introduced by Democratic Sen. John Arthur Smith and Republican Sen. Stuart Ingle combines elements of dueling Democratic and Republicans plans.
The bill would allow all New Mexico residents to apply for REAL ID compliant licenses or obtain a "driver's permit card." Under the proposal, immigrants in the country illegally would be allowed to apply for the permit card but could no longer get a New Mexico driver's license.
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1:30 a.m.
The fate of a REAL ID fix in New Mexico is now in the hands of Senate Democrats.
A key Senate committee is scheduled Tuesday to hear proposals that would bring New Mexico into compliance with tougher identification requirements under the federal REAL ID Act.
But how Senate Democrats respond to the proposals will determine if they face a backlash if the driver's license problem isn't fixed.
A GOP plan would grant state driving privilege cards for immigrants — even those suspected of living in the country illegally. A Democrat version would create a "two tier" system.
The REAL ID Act requires proof of legal U.S. residency for those who want to use state identification to access certain areas of federal facilities. New Mexico has no such requirement and allows immigrants to get state driver's licenses regardless of legal status.
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