Bill > A314

Introduced Session

This bill requires the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (commission) to develop and implement a program for the issuance of enhanced driver's licenses and enhanced non-driver identification cards to residents of the State of New Jersey, which identification are to serve as proof of identity and citizenship for persons entering the United States at land and sea ports. The bill requires the enhanced driver's licenses and enhanced non-driver identification cards to be issued in compliance with applicable federal regulations and to include, at a minimum: (1) a machine-readable barcode; (2) reasonable security measures to protect against the unauthorized access to or disclosure of any personal information contained in the enhanced driver's license or enhanced non-driver identification card, including, but not limited to, radio frequency identification technology; (3) security features to prevent unauthorized duplication or counterfeiting; and (4) personal identifying information, including, but not limited to, a photograph, full legal name, date of birth, gender, address, and signature. To apply for an enhanced driver's license or enhanced non-driver identification card, an applicant is required to provide the following items to the Chief Administrator (chief administrator) of the commission in a manner prescribed by the chief administrator: (1) a completed application indicating the applicant's full legal name, date of birth, residence address, height, gender, eye color, Social Security number, signature, and, if applicable, the applicant's intention to be an organ donor; (2) documentation demonstrating the applicant's United States citizenship, full legal name, date of birth, residence address, and Social Security number; (3) a photographic identification document; (4) the applicant's signed declaration acknowledging that the radio frequency identification technology may be used with the enhanced driver's license or enhanced non-driver identification card; (5) the applicant's signed certification that the information presented by the applicant is true and correct to the best of the applicant's knowledge; and (6) payment of an application fee of not more than $30. Under the bill, the chief administrator is required to examine and verify the genuineness, regularity, and legality of every application and other documentation submitted and may investigate any such application or require the submission of additional information. The chief administrator is required to reject any application if the chief administrator is not satisfied of the genuineness, regularity, and legality of the application or supporting documentation or the truth of any statement contained in the application or supporting documentation, or for any other reason authorized by law. Under the bill, an applicant who applies for an enhanced driver's license or enhanced non-driver identification card is required to have his or her facial image and signature captured or reproduced by the chief administrator at the time of application, which image or signature may be made available by the commission and used as follows: (1) by a federal, state, or local government agency for any law enforcement purpose authorized by law; (2) by another state to the extent required by federal law; (3) by the chief administrator for any purpose specifically authorized by law; (4) by the chief administrator for forwarding to the Department of State Police; (5) for any other purpose as determined by the chief administrator, if an individual provides his or her written authorization for the release of his or her own facial image or signature; and (6) as otherwise required by law. Additionally, the chief administrator is required to retain copies or digital images of documents provided by the applicant to the chief administrator and may disclose digital images of documents retained to a federal, state, or local government agency for any law enforcement purpose authorized by law. The bill permits the chief administrator to enter into a memorandum of understanding with any federal agency for the purpose of obtaining approval for the issuance of an enhanced driver's license or enhanced official non-driver identification card as proof of identity and citizenship for persons entering the United States at land and sea ports. The requirements of the bill are in addition to the requirements otherwise imposed on individuals who apply for a standard driver's license or standard non-driver identification card. The renewal fee for an enhanced driver's license or enhanced non-driver identification card is not to be more than $15, but if the enhanced driver's license or enhanced non-driver identification card is expired, the fee is to be $30. Additionally, the chief administrator may assess a fee for issuing a duplicate or corrected enhanced driver's license or enhanced non-driver identification card in an amount deemed reasonable by the chief administrator. Finally, a person who makes a false certification or statement in an application for an enhanced driver's license or enhanced non-driver identification card is to be guilty of a crime of the third degree, which is punishable by imprisonment for three to five years, a fine of up to $15,000, or both.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Paul Kanitra (R)*,  Gregory Myhre (R)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee (on 01/13/2026)

Official Document