S7032

Senate Print 7032, sponsored by Sen. Sepúlveda and relating to amendments to the Vehicle and Traffic Law, was laid aside without debate or vote during floor consideration.

The New York State Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would provide free nondriver identification cards to homeless individuals, eliminating current fees of $13 or $6.50 for those receiving Supplemental Security Income. Senate Print 7032, sponsored by Sen. Sepúlveda, passed on a 50-12 roll call vote. The bill aims to help an estimated 90,000 to 100,000 homeless New Yorkers access food, housing, and social services that require identification. During floor debate, Sen. Rhoads questioned the sponsor on implementation details, particularly regarding voter registration for homeless individuals without permanent addresses. Sen. Sepúlveda clarified that homeless applicants would use their temporary shelter or transitional housing address for both the ID card and voter registration, and that all other existing qualification requirements—including proof of citizenship or lawful status—remain unchanged. An amendment proposed by Sen. Walczyk that would have required voter identification at polling places was ruled nongermane by Acting President Bailey. The ruling was upheld when senators voted 21-0 on a show of hands to sustain the chair's decision. Twelve senators voted against the bill: Borrello, Chan, Gallivan, Helming, Martins, Oberacker, Ortt, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber, and Weik.