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The Latest: GOP-Sponsored REAL ID Fix Clears 1st Hurdle

A GOP-sponsored bill that would make New Mexico compliant under the REAL ID Act and allow some immigrants to obtain driver's permit cards has cleared its first hurdle.

The proposal passed 4-3 on Thursday in the House Regulatory and Public Affairs Committee along party lines after a nearly three-hour meeting.

The measure passed despite charges of racism from immigrant advocates.

New Mexico currently allows immigrants in the country illegally to obtain driver's license and this bill would only allow them get the driver's permit cards.

It was the first of at least two proposals state lawmakers are examining to get New Mexico in compliance with the federal REAL ID Act.

Already, some federal facilities have stopped accepting New Mexico driver's licenses.

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5:15 p.m.

Business leaders are urging New Mexico lawmakers to end the uncertainty around REAL ID in the state and pass a GOP-sponsored fix.

Mike Puelle of the Associated General Contractors New Mexico told a House committee on Thursday that new federal rules preventing the use of state driver's licenses in certain facilities are hurting businesses.

Puelle says the Republican proposal would make New Mexico compliant under the federal REAL ID Act and allow immigrants in the country illegally continue to drive in the state.

The proposal would allow those immigrants only to get driver's permit cards instead of a driver's license but faces opposition from immigrant advocates and Senate Democrats.

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4:30 p.m.

Advocates say a GOP-sponsored bill that would allow immigrants to obtain New Mexico driver's permit cards regardless of status is "anti-immigrant and racist."

Bartolo Canales of the Santa Fe-based advocacy group Somos Un Pueblo Unido told a House committee on Thursday that taking away driver's licenses would prevent immigrants from getting a job.

He said the GOP bill also would open immigrants up to discrimination.

New Mexico allows immigrants in the country illegally to obtain driver's license.

But the Republican proposal would allow those immigrants only to get driver's permit cards instead of a driver's license and would make New Mexico compliant under the federal REAL ID Act.

New Mexico lawmakers are making their first attempt to discuss a bill that would make the state compliant under the REAL ID Act.

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4 p.m.

New Mexico Republicans say their version to make the state compliant under the REAL ID Act is a "compromise" crafted after hearing from immigrants.

Rep. Paul Pacheco told a House committee on Thursday he wrote the bill after immigrants opposed his previous efforts to repeal the state's immigrant driver's license law.

New Mexico allows immigrants in the country illegally to obtain driver's license.

Pacheco says his bill, which would allow those immigrants to get driver's permit cards, would make New Mexico REAL ID compliant and help immigrants.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security declined to give New Mexico an extension from tough federal REAL ID requirements.

Senate Democrats are crafting their own version of a REAL ID fix.

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3:45 p.m.

New Mexico lawmakers are discussing a GOP-sponsored bill that would make the state compliant under the REAL ID Act.

The House Regulatory and Public Affairs Committee on Thursday began to debate a proposal that would create a REAL ID-compliant driver's license and also allow immigrants in the country illegally to obtain driver's permits.

It is one of at least two REAL ID-related proposals lawmakers are expected to tackle this session.

Immigrant advocates oppose the measure and say they'll speak out against it.

The Santa Fe-based immigrant advocacy group Somos Un Pueblo Unido supports a Democratic Senate proposal that would let immigrants who are in the country illegally get their driver's license under a "two tier" system. It would grant REAL ID-compliant licenses to residents and noncompliant ones to any resident who wants them.

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1:25 a.m.

New Mexico lawmakers will make their first attempt to discuss a bill that would make the state compliant under the REAL ID Act.

The House Regulatory and Public Affairs Committee is scheduled Thursday to take up a GOP-proposal that would create a REAL ID-compliant driver's license and also allow immigrants in the country illegally to obtain driver's permits.

It is one of at least two REAL ID-related proposals lawmakers are expected to tackle this session.

Immigrant advocates oppose the measure and say they'll crowd the committee meeting.

The Santa Fe-based immigrant advocacy group Somos Un Pueblo Unido supports a Democratic Senate proposal that would let immigrants who are in the country illegally get their driver's license under a "two tier" system. It would grant REAL ID-compliant licenses to residents and noncompliant ones to any resident who wants them.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.