Bill Text: GA HB72 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Comm Sub

Georgia House Bill 72 (Prior Session Legislation)

Bill Title: Drivers' licenses; examinations only in English language; provide

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Republican 4)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-02-09 - House Tabled [HB72 Detail]

Download: Georgia-2011-HB72-Comm_Sub.html

11 LC 35 2060S

The House Committee on Public Safety & Homeland Security offers the following substitute to HB 72:

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend Article 2 of Chapter 5 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to issuance, expiration, and renewal of licenses, so as to provide that examinations for drivers' licenses shall be administered only in the English language; to provide for an exception; to provide a limit on the period for which a temporary license may be issued by examination in a language other than English; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Article 2 of Chapter 5 of Title 40 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to issuance, expiration, and renewal of licenses, is amended by revising Code Section 40-5-27, relating to examination of applicants for certain drivers' licenses, by adding a new subsection to read as follows:

"(e) All written and oral examinations required pursuant to this Code section shall be administered only in the English language; provided, however, that the department may administer examinations to persons eligible for a temporary license pursuant to Code Section 40-5-21.1 in a language other than English."

SECTION 2.

Said article is further amended by revising subsection (a) of Code Section 40-5-21.1, relating to temporary licenses, permits, or special identification cards, and foreign licenses or identification cards as evidence of legal presence in the United States, as follows:

"(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this title, an applicant who presents in person valid documentary evidence of:

(1) Admission to the United States in a valid, unexpired nonimmigrant status;

(2) A pending or approved application for asylum in the United States;

(3) Admission into the United States in refugee status;

(4) An approved application for temporary protected status in the United States;

(5) Approved deferred action status;

(6) Other federal documentation verified by the United States Department of Homeland Security to be valid documentary evidence of lawful presence in the United States under federal immigration law; or

(7) Verification of lawful presence as provided by Code Section 40-5-21.2

may be issued a temporary license, permit, or special identification card. Such temporary license, permit, or special identification card shall be valid only during the period of time of the applicant's authorized stay in the United States or five years, whichever occurs first; provided, however, that no person shall, during his or her lifetime, be issued temporary licenses or permits by examination in any language other than English for a total combined period of more than ten years."

SECTION 3.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.