Requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to establish procedures by which a victim of identity theft may obtain a new driver's license number. (BDR 43-39)
Summary
SB291 requires the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles to create a process for a driver’s license holder who is a victim of identity theft to request a new, unique driver’s license number. The bill defines identity theft by reference to existing Nevada criminal statutes and makes a conforming change so the new provision fits within the state’s driver’s license laws.
The measure also directs the DMV not to charge a fee when the only change requested is a new license number for an identity-theft victim, and it extends that no-fee treatment to certain related conversions from a license number based on a person’s Social Security number to a unique number not based on that number. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027.
Impact
SB291 amends Chapter 483 of the Nevada Revised Statutes governing driver’s licenses by adding a new right for identity-theft victims to seek a replacement license number and by limiting DMV fee authority in that circumstance. It affects the Department of Motor Vehicles’ administrative procedures and fee schedule, while providing relief to affected licensees who may need to change identifying information to reduce further misuse of their personal data.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have been broadly supported and noncontroversial. It passed the Senate unanimously 21-0 and the Assembly unanimously 42-0, and there is no committee transcript indicating significant opposition or debate. The voting record suggests strong bipartisan agreement that identity-theft victims should have a practical, no-cost way to obtain a new driver’s license number.
Contention
There is little visible contention in the available record. The main policy issue is whether the DMV should be required to provide a new unique license number and waive fees for identity-theft victims, but the unanimous votes indicate that lawmakers largely agreed on the need for this protection. Any potential administrative or revenue concerns from the DMV fee waiver do not appear to have generated recorded opposition.
Prohibits the Department of Motor Vehicles from charging certain fees for the issuance of a Real ID-compliant driver's license, commercial driver's license or identification card. (BDR 43-575)
Relates to offenses involving theft of identity; creates five tiers of crimes, based on the financial loss to the victim(s) and the number of people victimized.
Establishes a program to conduct annual audits of commercial driver's license records maintained by the department of motor vehicles; requires the department of motor vehicles to notify licensees of deficiencies and provide an opportunity to cure such deficiencies; requires annual reporting to the governor and legislature; makes related provisions.