ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A key New Mexico Senate committee has passed a bill lawmakers called a "compromise" aimed at making New Mexico compliant under the federal REAL ID Act.
Senators voted 8-1 to combine a bipartisan bill with a recently passed version out of the Republican-controlled House as pressure mounted to pass a REAL ID fix.
The compromise would allow all New Mexico residents to apply for REAL ID compliant licenses or obtain a "driver's permit card."
Under the proposal, immigrants in the country illegally would be allowed to apply for the permit card but could no longer get a New Mexico driver's license.