Bill > HB1789

This bill restricts local governments in Arkansas (including counties, first and second-class cities, and incorporated towns) from issuing identification cards or funding the issuance of identification cards to individuals who cannot prove their lawful presence in the United States. The bill begins with legislative findings that emphasize Arkansas is not a sanctuary state and that municipal identification card programs have been considered a potential component of sanctuary city policies. The bill defines an identification card as a document administered by local governments that provides access to local services, cultural events, business activities, or helps residents identify themselves to various entities like law enforcement, schools, banks, health centers, and local government departments. Specifically, the legislation prohibits local governments from: (1) issuing identification cards to individuals who cannot demonstrate legal status in the country, and (2) providing funds to any person, entity, or organization for the purpose of creating such identification cards for undocumented individuals. This bill appears designed to limit local governments' ability to provide official identification to people who are not legally present in the United States, with the state maintaining that it already provides identification cards to eligible residents.