The Banking and Insurance Committee of the state Senate has passed legislation that attempts to correct what committee chairman David Thomas of Greenville calls a problem for international industries. Without correction, a code from the South Carolina Department of Insurance will soon stop citizens from other countries or states, such as those employed with industries like BMW, Michelin or Boeing, from driving. It also will affect university students and professors, and out-of-state “snowbird” residents. But Thomas says new legislation to correct that issue was about to create another problem, and may have allowed illegal immigrants to buy auto insurance.
Thomas says he and committee member Glenn McConnell oppose the amendment and hope to correct it on the floor of the Senate. Thomas says the legislation is important, but it must be further amended.
Thomas says currently four states–Hawaii, New Mexico, Utah and Washington–allow undocumented immigrants to get driver’s licenses.
Thomas also says insurers should be responsible for documenting that a driver is a legal resident.
(Thomas on S202 MP3 2:10)
Thomas on S202
Thomas also wants to make sure the law still allows vehicle owners who don’t drive to still keep insurance on their vehicles. Many automobile owners have other people drive for them.
