This bill amends existing laws regarding the issuance and renewal of drivers' licenses for nonresident aliens temporarily residing in New Hampshire. It introduces a new requirement that the Department of Safety shall not renew a driver's license for any individual who is not a U.S. citizen unless they can prove they are a lawful permanent resident. Additionally, the bill specifies that the director may issue a driver's license to nonresident aliens under certain conditions, such as attending an educational institution or engaging in lawful employment. The director is now required to obtain proof of vehicle operation in the individual's home country or completion of an approved driver education course, among other identification requirements.

Furthermore, the bill establishes that a driver's license issued to a nonresident alien will not be considered valid identification for voter registration or related purposes. It also prohibits the issuance of a driver's license to individuals granted asylee status until they have been granted permanent resident status. The licenses issued to nonresident aliens will bear a specific marking indicating their status. The bill is set to take effect 60 days after passage and is expected to incur a one-time cost of $25,000 for the Department of Safety to implement the necessary changes.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 263:10, 263:39-a, 263:40