driver cards signature submission 10.3.13.JPG
Opponents of a new law granting driving privileges to Oregonians who can't prove their legal presence submitted about 60,000 signatures Oct. 3 to qualify a referendum for the November 2014 ballot. From left are Jim Ludwick, spokesman for Oregonians for Immigration Reform, Lee Vasche, executive director of the Signature Gathering Company of Oregon, Cynthia Kendoll, president of Oregonians for Immigration Reform, and Rep. Sal Esquivel, R-Medford.
(Yuxing Zheng/The Oregonian)
SALEM -- After an hour of testy debate, the Oregon House on Thursday approved a bill to rewrite the title of a
to residents who can’t prove they’re in the state legally.
passed 36 to 24 and heads to the Senate, where its chances are unclear. Sen.
, R-Hillsboro,
.
Lawmakers
to "Establishes limited purpose, duration driver card for individuals who prove Oregon residency, meet driving requirements."
The title would emphasize residency requirements and remove the reference to "legal presence" in the current version of the title: "Provides Oregon resident 'driver card' without requiring proof of legal presence in the United States."
Driver cards have deeply divided supporters and opponents. The
.
, hoping voters will overturn the law, gathered enough signatures to suspend it and put it on the ballot.
Supporters say the rewrite is needed to accurately reflect the intent of the legislation to improve public safety. Opponents say the Legislature shouldn't interfere.
“We all want to present voters with what is required under the new law, and not confuse their introduction to the bill with what is not (required),” said Rep.
, R-Silverton. “I support this responsibly edited ballot title.”
Rep.
, R-Keizer and one of the sponsors of the referendum, likened the bill to "a terrible, nightmare game of blackjack."
"What we’re doing today is like a rigged game of blackjack, where the House changes the rules of the game in the middle of the game," she said. "I think this bill feels terribly wrong."
The bill would also rewrite the summary of the measure and the effects of a yes or no vote.
Under the bill, opponents could not appeal the Legislature's ballot title to the Oregon Supreme Court. Three challenges before the Supreme Court would also be terminated.
Rep.
, D-Oregon City, was the sole Democrat to vote against the ballot title rewrite and cited the lack of judicial review as the deciding factor. Barton supports driver cards and voted for the bill last year.
"By enacting HB 4054A, the Legislature encroaches on the executive branch's prerogative to write the ballot title, and worse, the Legislature eliminates the judicial branch's ability to review its ballot title for compliance with existing law," Barton wrote in a vote explanation he filed.
-- Yuxing Zheng